Three Minute Leadership: The 5 Things the Most Successful People Refuse to Believe
To: The Great Leaders Who Have a Passion for Continuous Learning
“If you want to achieve differently, first you need to believe differently” writes Jeff Haden in his article, 5 Things the Most Successful People Refuse to Believe. In his writing Hayden brings additional depth to the idea that “what we think is what we are” with the slight nuance of belief – “what we believe is what we are.” And with this, magic happens. It is no longer about just thinking, but about the great leaders’ belief systems that molds their thought processes (i.e. thinking). The process starts, he suggests, by “refusing to adopt certain mindsets”:
- “Someone is always holding me back.” – Don’t blame others; accept ownership. “You can’t control other people. You can control only yourself.”
- “I never seem to get the right opportunities.” – You make your own opportunities; you are not a victim. “Access to opportunity is nearly unlimited.”
- “I would definitely work harder if I knew it would be worth it.” – Expectations of rewards don’t achieve the reward; hard work does. – “Successful people, in all areas of life, earn bigger ‘payoffs’ by working incredibly hard well before any potential return is in sight; they earn their success through effort and sacrifice.”
- “If I just had the time.” – We all have the same 24 hours in a day. – “Never think about how time controls you — instead, think of how you can best control your time.”
- “If only I had a special talent.” – Focus on what you do have … you and the incredible gifts no one else in the world has. – “It’s easy, and extremely tempting, to assume successful people have some intangible entrepreneurial something – ideas, talent, drive, skills, creativity, etc. – that you don’t have. In fact that’s rarely true … sure, other people may have skills you don’t have – at least not yet – but you have skills other people don’t have. You don’t need a gift. You just need yourself — and a willingness to put in a tremendous amount of hard work, effort, and perseverance … focus on what you do have –and more importantly, what you are willing to do that others are not. That is your true gift.”
Walt Disney told great leaders: “First, think. Second Believe. Third, dream. And finally dare.” As Josh Groban sings in the song, Believe, from the movie The Polar Express: “You have everything you need if you just believe.” Think, believe, dream and dare to be more than you ever dreamed you could be … and more … so much more. And have fun doing it.
Have a beautiful day and a magnificent week!!!
Mike
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