Three Minute Leadership: We Become What We Think
To: The Great Leaders Who Have a Passion for Continuous Learning
In his weekly blog post, Philip Humbert speaks to great leaders of the power and magic their thoughts have in shaping their life. Drawing from the life of Henry David Thoreau, he writes:
“In many ways he was the poorest person in Concord, poorer even than the Irish immigrants living in hovels by the railroad. And yet he considered himself rich. If his little cabin burned to the ground, he could rebuild it in a few days. He fed himself by hoeing beans and raising corn, and nourished his soul on books and conversation. He considered himself among the most blessed of people and wondered that so many people live ‘such mean and tortured lives.’”
This was Thoreau’s mindset. He made his own world – no dependency on the outside, no fear of limitations or perceived dangers that would deplete his energy and happiness and his own possibilities. Building on Thoreau’s experience, Humbert asks great leaders: “How much out there really matters?” His answer was: “Not much!” It is what one holds and thinks on the inside that makes us who we are.
Humbert then poses a challenge to great leaders:
“I challenge you to dream bigger and better dreams, and to act with greater courage. Live the life you truly want and leave the small thinking, the fear and hesitancy to others. Resolve to do one thing that makes you happy and do it today! Laugh more. Love more. Have more fun and live with daring! Make more mischief, be outrageous, be who you truly are! Be fearless and ‘go for it!’”
These are words to hang on a poster to be read every day. May you take the challenge every moment of your life. May you live every moment of your life and bewho you truly are. Dale Carnegie writes: “It isn’t what you have, or who you are, or where you are, or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think you are.”
Have a beautiful day and a magnificent week!!!
Mike
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