Let me ask you something. Do things come easily for you? Or do you struggle to get ahead?

Do you find new musical opportunities every day? Or only more obstacles to success? The way you answer these questions can reveal a lot about the way you think and process your world.

As I ponder this topic, I'm reminded of something once written by Dr. Wayne Dyer (author of "The Power of Intention," "Real Magic" and other fine books):

"What you focus on expands in your life."

It's true. Whenever you concentrate on or obsess over a particular thought or attitude, you attract more of that thought or attitude like a magnet -- and better (or worse) yet, those mental images often materialize.

In a very real sense, thoughts become things. In the same way that the idea for a song becomes a tangible recording, so do your attitudes and beliefs manifest themselves in the real world.

Another thing Dr. Dyer wrote: State your goals in terms of what you are for, not what you are against. For instance, instead of being against the war, be FOR peace. Instead of being anti pollution, be FOR a clean environment. That simple switch in perspective can steer your entire manner of tackling the issue.

This attitude can be applied to your music career, as well. Are you against corporate rock, or PRO indie music? Do you rail against commercial radio, or show support FOR community stations?

Some may think this is empty, semantic flimflam, but I think it goes much deeper than that.

One more idea from Wayne Dyer: He has said that the Wright Brothers did not make aviation history by focusing on the "staying on the ground" of things. If they had, their early failures would have convinced them that human flight wasn't possible. They made history by concentrating on what they wanted: the flight of a powered airplane.

Do this with your pursuit of music ... and with life in general. Focus on the positive outcomes you fully expect to materialize. As you get in the habit of doing so, you will become aware of and attract to you all sorts of wonderful "coincidences." Your accomplishments will grow. Small successes will breed larger ones. Amazing things will begin to happen to you.

But if you elaborate on how hard it is to succeed in music, how little money there is to go around, how much competition you face ... I guarantee you will attract a river of real-life examples to prove your negative claims. You'll start hanging out with people who share your pessimism, you'll put out vibes that you're cynical and lack confidence, people will "sense" you're someone they don't want to work with -- much less help.

Your circumstances are a merciless mirror of the thoughts you've had, the decisions you've made and the actions you've taken to this point in your life. What do you think of the reflection you're seeing these days?

If you'd like to get better results, start examining the thoughts you focus on. Paint brighter, more empowering mental pictures. Be more upbeat in your conversations with others. Expect to uncover more opportunities. Concentrate on the end results you desire. Raise your energy level.

Then watch the material world slowly take on the shape of your inner world of positive ideas.

Now get out there, get busy and empower yourself!

Bob Baker is the author of "Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook," "Unleash the Artist Within" and "Branding Yourself Online." He also publishes TheBuzzFactor.com, a web site and e-zine that deliver free music marketing tips and self-promotion ideas to musicians of all kinds. Visit TheBuzzFactor.com for more details.

Here are a few books from our Book Store that will help you as as beginning songwriter:

Beginning Songwriter's Answer Book

Writing Better Lyrics

The Craft of Lyric Writing

Successful Lyric Writing : A Step-By-Step Course and Workbook