Quality Magazine logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Quality Magazine logo
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
    • FEATURED PRODUCTS
    • SUBMIT YOUR PRODUCT
  • CHANNELS
    • AUTOMATION
    • MANAGEMENT
    • MEASUREMENT
    • NDT
    • QUALITY 101
    • SOFTWARE
    • TEST & INSPECTION
    • VISION & SENSORS
  • MARKETS
    • AEROSPACE
    • AUTOMOTIVE
    • ENERGY
    • GREEN MANUFACTURING
    • MEDICAL
  • MEDIA
    • A WORD ON QUALITY PUZZLE
    • EBOOK
    • PODCASTS
    • VIDEOS
    • WEBINARS
  • EVENTS
    • EVENT CALENDAR
    • IMTS
  • DIRECTORIES
    • BUYERS GUIDE >
      • Supplier Insights
    • NDT SOURCEBOOK
    • VISION & SENSORS
    • TAKE A TOUR
  • INFOCENTERS
    • Digital Quality Management Systems
    • NEXT GENERATION SPC & QUALITY ANALYTICS
  • AWARDS
    • ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
    • PLANT OF THE YEAR
    • PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
  • MORE
    • Expert Columns
    • NEWSLETTERS
    • QUALITY STORE
    • INDUSTRY LINKS
    • SPONSOR INSIGHTS
  • EMAG
    • eMAGAZINE
    • ARCHIVES
    • CONTACT
    • ADVERTISE
  • SIGN UP!

Jim's Gems: The Power of Thought

By Jim L. Smith
November 7, 2011


Our thoughts can be our most important ally. Our thoughts can work for us or they can work against us. In the minute that you read this, choose to hold on to those thoughts that work in your favor and use them to your advantage.

We need to choose thoughts that give energy to our most cherished values and most treasured goals. We need to choose thoughts that resonate with achievement and success–not despair and failure.

If we plant the seeds of success in our mind, positive outcomes will sprout. If we plant the seeds of failure and despair, what do you think the result will be?

To hold a certain specific thought requires no physical effort, no special training and no permission from anyone other than our self. Our thoughts are precisely what we allow them to be, as soon as we allow them to be.

Those thoughts set the stage for the way we experience life. They serve as a lens through which we see the world, and they control the way we respond to every situation.

When we develop a strong habit of filling our mind with positive, uplifting thoughts, we are well-positioned to successfully meet the challenges that come our way. Empowering thoughts equip us to take effective and appropriate action.

Thoughts can come and go in an instant and have no physical dimensions, yet they exert enormous influence. If we strengthen our thoughts then we strengthen our lives.

James Allen, the 19th century author, who some say was the inspiration behind Norman Vincent Peale’s The Power of Positive Thinking, said “You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you.” Where do you choose to go?

Share This Story

Qm0222 clmn face p2 author jim smith

Jim L. Smith has more than 45 years of industry experience in operations, engineering, research and development and quality management. You can reach Jim at [email protected]

Blog Topics

Shifting the Paradigm

Jim's Gems

Steve Adams: Operational Strategies

Recent Comments

Therefore great deal to take place over kinds...

Gee… I translate writes on a similar to...

As it turned out, it is quite possible...

For some it is significant, and so research...

nike tiffany and co jacket

Manage My Account
  • eMagazine Subscriptions
  • Newsletters
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service
  • Manage My Preferences

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Quality audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Quality or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Key Takeaways for Quality Leaders
    Sponsored byComplianceQuest

    Key Takeaways for Quality Leaders from the 2026 Gartner Magic Quadrant™ for QMS

  • This image shows a person seated next to a Bobcat T66 compact track loader.
    Sponsored byPolyWorks by InnovMetric

    Supercharging Digital Gauging at Bobcat North America

  • Dorsey Calibration Lab photo by Tom LaBarbera Picture this Studios
    Sponsored byDorsey Metrology International

    Ensuring Product Quality in a Competitive Manufacturing Landscape

Popular Stories

a titanium diaphragm speaker driver

The One Thing Elon Gets Right Is Designed to Scare You

This image shows a person seated next to a Bobcat T66 compact track loader.

Supercharging Digital Gauging at Bobcat North America

Dorsey Calibration Lab photo by Tom LaBarbera Picture this Studios

Ensuring Product Quality in a Competitive Manufacturing Landscape

2026 Quality Professional of the Year!

Events

June 9, 2026

Future-Proof your Quality Processes with Advanced 3D Optical CMM Technology

Discover how to effortlessly capture complex data, leverage true multi-sensor automation, and ensure continuous operation without creating inspection delays.

June 22, 2026

Automate 2026

Automate is North America's largest robotics and automation event — and the best place to take your ideas from insight to impact.
 
Our show floor features the world’s leading automation solutions, from AI and robotics to motion control, vision systems, and more. Plus, our educational conference is second to none, led by the brightest minds in automation today.
 
Ready to transform the way you work? Take the next step at Automate.
View All Submit An Event

Products

Lean Manufacturing and Service Fundamentals, Applications, and Case Studies

Lean Manufacturing and Service Fundamentals, Applications, and Case Studies

See More Products
Quality Podcast Channel Custom Content
×

Stay in the know with Quality’s comprehensive coverage of
the manufacturing and metrology industries.

Newsletters | Website | eMagazine

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Manufacturing Division
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • Newsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Market Research
    • Reprints
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2026. All Rights Reserved BNP Media, Inc. and BNP Media II, LLC.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing