Limitless Monday: If Anyone Can Do It, You Can

Limitless Monday – If anyone can do it, you can

When I was 22 years old I was given a ticket to see a well-known CEO and then TV personality speak. The speaker had transformed the once loss-making UK chemical industry, and was head of a multi billion dollar corporation. He had also recently published an inspirational biography. Anyway, cut a medium story short, Sir John Harvey Jones made an impression on me that has lasted a lifetime.

Sir John talked colorfully of his many achievements, and then paused. He looked out at the eager crowd and said, “If someone like me can do it, anyone in this audience can do it, too. I am nothing special.” I was convinced that message was meant for me and me alone.

I hear that phrase regularly when watching episodes of Shark Tank. It’s usually uttered after a budding entrepreneur has snared one of the sharks for an investment proceeding to tell the audience, “If I can do it you can too.”

Most of us tend to be in awe of high achievers, believing they are special, that they breathe different air than us. We can’t possibly imagine them using the bathroom like normal people. The thought that “I could do that” doesn’t even cross our mind. The fact is these so-called “superstars” are humans, possessing all the faults and qualities that come with it.

It’s worth remembering that the majority of the most successful people in society were a step away at one point from losing it all. Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, Donald Trump, Rupert Murdoch, Richard Branson. While we all possess limitless potential, what separates most of us from the successful among us is down to a few key qualities, all of which are within our grasp.

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Firstly, the ability to take the first step, by embracing risk. Risk is the first hurdle that prevents the majority of us from pursuing our dreams and our potential. By leaping the first wall you are well on your way.

However, blindly jumping is not a sensible strategy. Preparation and training before deciding to leap is what makes all the difference. Many of us spend too much time in preparation and don’t have the nerve to take the jump. We all have the propensity to take risks. It’s just that some of us need more convincing than others.

Second, resilience and determination.

The going always gets tough and then the tough amongst us come into their own. The weak give up at the first, second, or even last obstacle. Giving up is never an option, pivoting maybe, or even failing and starting again. The successful can handle setbacks as they believe they will reach the promised land. They don’t hope, they believe.

Third, focus and overcome boredom.

Many of us get bored quickly. The amount of times I have had people come to me when I was in the business of funding startups asking me to invest in one business only for them to begin talking about an entirely different business they intended to launch at a future date.

The most successful entrepreneurs are the ones who stick to their business until they have achieved their long term goal. They are laser focused. A once in a lifetime opportunity to buy a diamond mine in Zambia or a strip club in Vegas is not going to deviate them from their mission.

So while yes, anyone can do it, you must either possess or develop these qualities to ensure that you can follow in the footsteps of your heroes or create your own distinct path.

The first step is to believe you can do it. Jump that first hurdle. Mine was quitting my job. What is yours going to be?

Happy Monday!

Banner Image: Anything is possible. Image Credit – Slav Romanov