The importance of this question has only recently came to light for me, a simple question that is asked to children at a young age. Almost every child will come across this question sometime in their life whether in school or the home. As you sit back and listen to the bold answers given “I want to be an Astronaut, a Wrestler, a Singer” the list goes on. They all have some vision of where they see themselves as an adult, they have no idea how they will get there or even if they will but they still have vision. I sat down and had a conversation with a 9 year old boy and decided to ask this question in general conversation, “so where do you see yourself when you grow older?” The result amazed me and we then led on to have a quite detailed conversation of his dreams and aspirations, a little 9 year old boy had a full vision of what he wanted to do with his life and it came off his tongue almost automatically without much thought. As I sat there and listened it dawned on me that we all have an inherent sense of who we are and where we want to be even from a young age, the examples become more realistic if we have seen or heard of someone similar doing the thing that we want to do, something that seemed completely impossible now looks like a reality. When we are asked a question that requires no action to be taken all of the fear, excuses and restrictions become eliminated and we discuss the things that we really would love to do. However we are conditioned in a way that makes us believe that we are not capable of fulfilling the things that we really want to do in life “because they are to hard” or “we can’t be bothered”. At times like this I have always tried to challenge myself “Who said I can’t?” or “What would happen if I could be bothered?” When do we get taught to challenge ourselves? We let other people do it to us everyday but when do we ask ourselves to give the reasons why we can do something rather than why we can’t?
“Dreams are only dreams they will never happen” It is sad when people actually believe this and it is the foundational excuse as to why people have not done something. If you have never met anyone that has achieved their dreams then this actually may start to look like a reality, which is even more worrying. When people say that they would love to do something but immediately claim that it is not possible then why would they attempt to even try? Say they do try and fail then this becomes evidence of why they shouldn’t have bothered in the first place. In times like these I always quote Les Brown who says “If life knocks you down make sure you land on your back, because if you can look up then you can get up!” When we fail at something it can be looked at as evidence as to why we can’t succeed this is a very negative view that suppresses any growth and motivation. The alternative view is that it was a lesson that will not happen again but will fuel our determination to do it better next time. The situation will be the same but the way in which we respond to it will be dependant on you.
Stretch your mind to new levels that have not been reached. Have you ever tried to do this? For example have you ever imagined what it would be like to live life without having to worry about paying the bills, without having to worry about next months pay check? What does it look, feel and sound like to live life free of all of the daily worries and stress that may surround you today? If you have then well done, but if not then why? Do you believe it is not possible to be in a completely different situation that you are in now in a few years time? This came to light for me whist I was watching a programme about two bankers that had been made redundant going into failing businesses where they could potentially help them stabilise their finances. Usually I would have just looked at the programme and thought those snobby people don’t know anything, who are they to go in and try and help people make money! But I decided to actively listen to the different view points expressed. One lady who worked in the hotel complained that she never had enough money and she didn’t see why they were trying to help because in 5 years time she would still be in debt! I nearly screamed at the TV... That was like suicide to me. She had a 5 year plan already laid out in her head that detailed that she had no intention that she would be able to get out of debt. This was her reality and she was not accepting another one because this is the way it should be. The bankers went into a situation with a different mentality; they had a belief that they would be able to increase sales. With this belief they were able to spot opportunities, make connections and do things that would never have seemed possible if they never held this belief. If you dismiss something without trying, or justify ways that it cant happen without thinking of ways it can then you may be overlooking some great opportunities. Things that have always been staring you in your face may leap out and slap you once you believe you can do something that seemed impossible before. Challenge, challenge, challenge and listen to what you are actually saying to yourself. If you can start to hear the voices are they telling you that you can’t achieve, you can’t be great? Or are they cheering you on saying give it a go you know it can do it? This voice can be trained to be your best friend; it will comfort you in times of need, support you through crisis and also be the thing that sets you apart from others. Become aware and when you do you are better positioned to change the negative into positive, at first it may be slow but it will eventually get stronger, louder and more supportive. An old Chinese proverb says “If there is no enemy within then there is no enemy” think about this whilst you listen to your voice more consciously.
“Dreams are only dreams they will never happen” It is sad when people actually believe this and it is the foundational excuse as to why people have not done something. If you have never met anyone that has achieved their dreams then this actually may start to look like a reality, which is even more worrying. When people say that they would love to do something but immediately claim that it is not possible then why would they attempt to even try? Say they do try and fail then this becomes evidence of why they shouldn’t have bothered in the first place. In times like these I always quote Les Brown who says “If life knocks you down make sure you land on your back, because if you can look up then you can get up!” When we fail at something it can be looked at as evidence as to why we can’t succeed this is a very negative view that suppresses any growth and motivation. The alternative view is that it was a lesson that will not happen again but will fuel our determination to do it better next time. The situation will be the same but the way in which we respond to it will be dependant on you.
Stretch your mind to new levels that have not been reached. Have you ever tried to do this? For example have you ever imagined what it would be like to live life without having to worry about paying the bills, without having to worry about next months pay check? What does it look, feel and sound like to live life free of all of the daily worries and stress that may surround you today? If you have then well done, but if not then why? Do you believe it is not possible to be in a completely different situation that you are in now in a few years time? This came to light for me whist I was watching a programme about two bankers that had been made redundant going into failing businesses where they could potentially help them stabilise their finances. Usually I would have just looked at the programme and thought those snobby people don’t know anything, who are they to go in and try and help people make money! But I decided to actively listen to the different view points expressed. One lady who worked in the hotel complained that she never had enough money and she didn’t see why they were trying to help because in 5 years time she would still be in debt! I nearly screamed at the TV... That was like suicide to me. She had a 5 year plan already laid out in her head that detailed that she had no intention that she would be able to get out of debt. This was her reality and she was not accepting another one because this is the way it should be. The bankers went into a situation with a different mentality; they had a belief that they would be able to increase sales. With this belief they were able to spot opportunities, make connections and do things that would never have seemed possible if they never held this belief. If you dismiss something without trying, or justify ways that it cant happen without thinking of ways it can then you may be overlooking some great opportunities. Things that have always been staring you in your face may leap out and slap you once you believe you can do something that seemed impossible before. Challenge, challenge, challenge and listen to what you are actually saying to yourself. If you can start to hear the voices are they telling you that you can’t achieve, you can’t be great? Or are they cheering you on saying give it a go you know it can do it? This voice can be trained to be your best friend; it will comfort you in times of need, support you through crisis and also be the thing that sets you apart from others. Become aware and when you do you are better positioned to change the negative into positive, at first it may be slow but it will eventually get stronger, louder and more supportive. An old Chinese proverb says “If there is no enemy within then there is no enemy” think about this whilst you listen to your voice more consciously.
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