It is fascinating work traveling around the country doing leadership training programs or working with people to help them get and stay motivated. The reason it is interesting is the people I meet, what they say, and most important, how they think.
I was recently doing training on leadership for a company, and we were discussing coaching others and helping them reach their full potential.
One of the leaders in the room said to me, “some people can’t.” When I asked him what he meant he said some people would never get any further than where they are. I said, “I think anyone can do anything if they put their mind to it.” He told me I was so wrong and asked for an example. I mentioned a Grand Master in martial arts being able to drive a nail into the wall with his hand. “Impossible.” said the leader. “can’t be done.” I told him I saw it with my own eyes. He said it was no more than a magic trick. “OK,” I said, “ let’s try one more—people run Ultramarathons like the one in Greece which is running 153 miles in 36 hours.”
He also told me this one wasn’t possible. That is when I stopped trying to convince him.
The biggest measure of success for you, Sir, is going to be to look at your mindset and change it if you want success. If you want to be successful, you have to give yourself a punch in the head. Now.
Here are a few things to chew on:
Box. You are limiting yourself by building a box around yourself of massive limitation. People say to me all the time, “I always wanted to start a business doing __________ but I just never have. Why? I don’t know if I can pull it off.” The famous actor Jim Carey was living in a van before he hit it big, but he always said he was going to be paid ten million dollars one day for a movie role. And he was! Why can’t you? Why can’t you be a millionaire? Why can’t you own the world largest bakery? Kevin Hart once said “No matter what, people grow. If you chose not to grow, you’re staying in a small box with a small mindset. People who win go outside of that box. It’s very simple when you look at it.”
Take the box you built, kick out the walls and stop the limitations. Write down all your limits and then write down why they aren’t true.
Bros. Here is the thing you may not be aware of, but you must be very careful who you associate with at all times. If you hang out with people who criticize you and tell you all the reason why you can’t, people who criticize for reaching for being more, then get rid of them. Only associate with people who will help you think bigger, not smaller, positive, not negative, uplifting instead of criticizing. Every Jedi has to have a Yoda. Do not underestimate the power of the force! Evaluate who you should never, ever, be around and then don’t be around them.
Belief. You have been raised in a society full of negative BS. The news, negative people, bad parents and people who have been mean and have picked on you. So what? Well, their stupid, abusive behavior and thinking have changed your thinking, and you have adopted beliefs from them. They have given you their mind-rotting virus. Their negative, toxic thinking has become yours. Don’t let them do that. Start reading motivational books and watching motivational clips online. Take notes and study how highly motivated and prosperous people think. What is their mindset? As Roger Clemens said, “I think anything is possible if you have the mindset and the will and desire to do it and put the time in.”
Build. Start building something now, something new and exciting. Start building a business empire. Start building your best body. Start building an extraordinary love relationship. Start a building a beautiful home. Start building up each area of your life. When this starts to work, your confidence will be increased, and it will change your mindset of your life. You will be so fired up nothing can stand in your way.
So what are you waiting for mister? Stop being so small. Start working on changing your mindset now. You will be amazed at what can happen.
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This story has been republished to Medium.
Photo: iStock