Whatever we fix our attention upon, or whatever it is that we
idealize, our sub-conscious mind endeavours to actualize and make
real in our life. By fighting a habit we direct sub-conscious
attention to it, and this is fatal. If, however, we turn our whole
attention to something entirely different and which is higher and
better, all the powers of the sub-conscious are directed towards the
production, in the life and body, of the new object of attention.

We see, therefore, that we do not have to overcome habit. If we did
our task would be hopeless, for the human will is helpless before
the power of the sub-conscious mind. The sub-conscious powers can
be led by the imagination, but they cannot be coerced by the will.
The will must be used not to fight the habit, but in raising and
directing the attention to something higher and better. By this means
a new habit is formed. The attention of the sub-conscious mind is
taken away from the bad habit, and all its powers directed towards
the creation of a new and better one. The sub-conscious does not care
what the habit is. It is indifferent as to whether it is good or bad.
It is just as willing to produce a good habit as a bad one. We, each
of us, therefore, hold our fate in our own hands. We can, by
controlling our thoughts and imagination and by directing our
attention to better things, focus all the powers of the sub-conscious
on the building up of good habits, or, on the other hand, we can,
by allowing our thoughts and mental pictures to dwell upon undesirable
things and our attention to be directed to low or weak ideals, fall
into undesirable habits. The power that produces the habits is the
same in each case; it is the way in which this power is directed that
is the vital and essential thing.

It is very necessary to point out that right thinking and correct
use of the imagination must be accompanied by corresponding right
action. Many people make use of auto-suggestion and expect it to
destroy their bad habits and build up better ones, but it never will,
or can do so, unaided. Auto-suggestion is useless if it is not