Choosing Positive Memories for Growth and Success

Joey Crampton

CPA, Professional Certified Coach, Educator, Métis♾️, Guitarist🎸

April 15, 2025

Why is it that when I tell others stories about my past, I tend to ‘edit’ the narrative so that the best or funniest parts are highlighted?

And yet, when I’m alone with my thoughts, I often replay my worst qualities and failures on a loop.

Why do we share our best with others and reserve the worst for ourselves?

This contrast reminds me that we are the editors of our own memories. We have the ability to choose what we recall—and, as David J. Schwartz says in his classic The Magic of Thinking Big, we can select positive memories to unlock greater confidence and resilience.

The Power of Positive Memories

What would happen if we consistently chose to recall the wins and the best within ourselves?

As a Winnipeg entrepreneur, this isn’t just a theoretical exercise—it’s imperative. Running a small business in this city means facing countless challenges, from hearing “no” far too often to navigating an unpredictable market. Without a mindset rooted in positivity, the road to success can feel endless.

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard “not right now” in the last year alone. Yet, I’ve also learned that it’s those positive moments—those small but significant wins—that fuel the resilience I need to keep going and growing.

Focusing on positive memories isn’t just wishful thinking; it’s a mindset shift that rewires your approach to success. And the good news? It’s something you can start practicing right now.

How to Build Your “Positive Memory Bank”

Here’s how Winnipeg’s small business leaders can thrive by selecting and amplifying their wins:

- Daily Reflection: Before ending your day, write down one positive memory or accomplishment—no matter how small. Reflecting on even minor wins strengthens your mental muscles for positivity.

- Gratitude Practice: Start team meetings or personal work sessions by recalling a specific positive business moment, like a great customer interaction or a campaign that exceeded expectations.

- Visualization: When setting future goals, connect them to past successes. For example, think about a time when you overcame a challenge and use that memory to build confidence in your next steps.

One of the simplest techniques I use is this: when networking or meeting new people, I think about the last kind or interesting person I met. That positive feeling transfers into new interactions and sets the tone for meaningful connections.

Your Call to Action

As Winnipeg entrepreneurs, let’s commit to building our own “positive memory banks.”

Success starts with the way we think, and the memories we choose to focus on are the foundation. So, what are your favorite positive memories from your entrepreneurial journey? Share them with me in the comments or here on LinkedIn. 

"Whether the psychological problem is big or little, the cure comes when one learns to quit drawing negative from one's memory bank and withdraws positive instead." —David J. Schwartz

Until Next Time, Joey