That affirmation made all the difference when, just 3 weeks before the race, Becky badly injured her knee during a long run. "I couldn't even run 5 or 6 miles and literally had to limp home. I thought, 'This isn't part of the plan. What do I do now?'"

When she got home, she sulked for about 10 minutes, then she hobbled over to the mirror and did her affirmation--pushing all of the doubt out. Then she started doing some Internet research and found an expert in injury-free running.

Three weeks later, she was among "a sea of 10,000 runners of all ages and body types."

But the story doesn't end there.

The race was a uphill battle, literally and figuratively, and at one point Becky even considered dropping out. But she pushed forward, taking on one mile at a time. "I told myself, run this next mile well enough to let yourself have a chance at the finish. Then at the next mile I would make the same deal with myself."

Finally, the end was in sight. Says Becky, "I ran those last few moments on shaky legs, but I felt as light as a feather. As I stepped across the line, my arms flew up in the air and my eyes welled with tears as I glanced at my watch and read that magic number 4:44"--the exact time that she had visualized all those months before.

Today, Becky is a Certified Wellness Coach, helping people achieve their wellness goals. What's her advice for achieving yours?

1. Have a strong desire. "Your desire must be stronger than 'it's a good thing to do.' There must be a good reason why you are doing it."

2. Believe that you have what it takes. "Never let yourself doubt your goal," she says.

3. Commit to it. "Most people commit 'as long as nothing comes up,'" says Becky. "Commitment and convenience are opposite things. Do it anyway."

4. Maintain a high degree of self worth. "You cannot accomplish any goal if there is negative self-talk ('I'm so lazy,' etc.). There is just no place for it."

5. Be flexible. "Life happens--just don't let it derail you from your goal. You're not going to be 100% perfect, but if you're flexible, you will still reach your goal."

You really can have what you want. But like Becky, you must consider your mind an equal partner in whatever you are trying to do, and you must train it just as hard as you do your body.

You must train your mind to believe you really can do it. Because the fact is, you really can.

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