ARE YOU NUTS?
Have you ever shared a dream or goal to someone that you loved or trusted to have them look back with a smile to say, “You’re Nuts! That’s crazy, YOU CAN’T DO THAT!”
Over many years, I’ve observed that the one thing that hinders the POTENTIAL success of people is how they might answer one question. In fact I always ask my business coaching clients this question as we begin to lay goals and objectives and a vision for their business. The question is “What could you accomplish if no one told you it was impossible?” Sounds simple doesn’t it, but if you’re honest with yourself only a few people can truly say that they haven’t moved forward; taken risks or dreamed big because they wouldn’t allow themselves to do so.
Think about that for a moment. How many of your dreams and ambitions have been totally lost or abandoned because some else told you it couldn’t be done? Like “Don’t start a business today, the economy is too bad!” “You’re nuts if you start a business today!”, or “That’s a terrible idea for a product/business, Are You Nuts?”
Ok, you guessed it, I’m on the “Positive Attitude” bandwagon again, but it is a proven strategy. Without it, nothing is possible. The late actor, inspirational speaker and activist, Christopher Reeve said, “So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable.”
In his recent newspaper column, businessman and author Harvey Mackay reminds us that “What we call progress was once called impossible. If necessity is the mother of invention, then a positive attitude is the master of the impossible!” A positive attitude is so absolutely important to believing the “Possible” that Disney (famously) makes it a point of strategic pride to employee “Imagineers” to explore possibilities and to accept NO boundaries or limitations on their imagination.
To be successful in business today, in fact, in order to survive in business, we must begin and end every day exploring the boundaries of WHAT IS POSSIBLE! We must continually challenge ourselves and have a positive outlook on innovation, creativity, growth, personal development and potential. We must develop and nurture a vision of the future and a positive expectation in problem solving. Plus, we must continually challenge ourselves to understand what the realities of all situations are versus what the general perceptions are!
It’s not a new idea; the concept has been around a long, long time. A classic business book, Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill dedicates much of the text to this specific subject. And this incredible book was written in 1937. So don’t let any “dream vampires” suck the life out of your hopes, ambitions and desires. Stand tall and hold on to your aspirations for all you’re worth and let no one stand in the way of something that you believe in or for that matter, someone you believe in.
It’s hard, but you can do it.
So promise me one thing… the next time someone asks of you the question, “Are You Nuts?” Just make a point to smile, then laugh and look them straight in the eye and say, “PROBABLY!”
If you’re struggling with the idea of being about to dream and create a vision for you or your company, give me a call or write. This is what we do at Grow Southwest and we’re open for business.
As Always, BE GREAT
Coach Dan