When a group of soldiers found themselves locked away in a German prison camp during World War II, they easily could have waited out the end of the war there. Or, they might have made a few small attempts to free one or two people.
At one such camp, however, the goals were much bigger. These prisoners organized themselves around the collective goal of freeing 250 soldiers in one night. Their story became the basis for the 1963 movie The Great Escape.
“The secret of success: Get up early. Work late. Strike oil.” – John D. Rockefeller
We always hear that we need to “raise the bar” to be more competitive and more successful. That term “Raise the bar” is a metaphor borrowed from the sports world, meaning to constantly strive for better, farther, faster. And that’s a great aim to have. But is that the way life really works?
Let’s say you want to be a champion high jumper.
I’ve written a bestselling book called “How to Be a Champion High Jumper” so you ask me to coach you. On the first day of training, you run onto the practice field, all motivated and ready to go.
In the process of living, the winds of circumstances blow on us all in an unending flow that touches each of our lives.
We have all experienced the blowing winds of disappointment, despair and heartbreak. Why, then, would each of us, in our own individual ship of life, all beginning at the same point, with the same intended destination in mind, arrive at such different places at the end of the journey? Have we not all been blown by the winds of circumstances and buffeted by the turbulent storms of discontent?
“Focus your time and your life on your highest talents and dreams.”
I turned 40 a while ago and I am spending a lot of time reading obituaries. I get rejuvenated when I look at people’s obituaries and the lives they’ve lived. The differences that people have made inspire me.
As we reach the half-time point of life a lot of us begin to reflect on whether or not we are living the lives we want to live. We ask ourselves, “How can I make a difference?” We ask ourselves this important question because the biggest regret of all is to reach the end of our lives only to realize that we walked the planet in vain.
Doesn’t it seem like every time you turn on the TV or get on the computer, there is always more negative news that just weighs you down. On top of that, you have your own personal issues to deal with. This “negative storm” can cause someone to feel stuck, lost and full of anxiety. It is the fear of the unknown that builds up in our mind and takes over like a dark cloud. This dark cloud follows us and rains on us, making us negative in our personal and professional lives.
When it comes to meeting and conquering the negativity in your life, here is a key question: What can you do, starting today, that will make a difference? What can you do during economic chaos? What can you do when everything has gone wrong? What can you do when you’ve run out of money, when you don’t feel well and it’s all gone sour? What can you do?
Let me give you the broad answer first. You can do the most remarkable things, no matter what happens. People can do incredible things, unbelievable things, despite the most impossible or disastrous circumstances.
“A person is limited only by the thoughts that he chooses.” — James Allen, As a Man Thinketh
You are not limited to the life you now live. It has been accepted by you as the best you can do at this moment. Anytime you’re ready to go beyond the limitations currently in your life, you’re capable of doing that by choosing different thoughts.
We each earn the income we do today because that is the amount we have limited ourselves to earn. We could easily earn 5, 10, 20 times more if we did not limit ourselves through the thoughts we maintain.
There are only two words that will always lead you to success. Those words are yes and no. Undoubtedly, you’ve mastered saying yes. So start practicing saying no. Your goals depend on it!
If you are constantly saying yes to other people, then you are constantly saying no to yourself and your goals. Ask yourself if what is being requested of you is in line with your goals, will it benefit you in some way and bring you closer to your success, or will you simply be spending your time on someone else’s good opportunity?
“The great gift of human beings is that we have the power of empathy.” – Meryl Streep, American actress
You have the capability to improve your relationships, ramp up your ability to learn and increase the quality of your overall experience of life.
Does this sound like the beginning of a typical positive thinking “self-help” book?
How about this: You have an ability that is so very close to mind-reading that when you understand and apply these strategies, you will absolutely open up new possibilities for your life.
It’s Pavlovian. Springtime arrives and my mind is on a plane to Jupiter, Florida. That’s where I spent many spring training sessions helping the St. Louis Cardinals get into peak mental shape for the upcoming baseball season.
That’s right. It’s not just about swinging a bat and figuring out how not to blow out your throwing arm. It’s about mental toughness. And those mental pointers are as useful in the workplace as they are in the field.