Limitless Monday – Why Not Me?

Limitless Monday – Why not me?

I just finished watching an amazing documentary called, “The Men Who Built America”. In one episode, a commentator reveals what he believes is a common quality most successful people possess. “They think in terms of, Why not me?” he explained.

Most of us don’t start a new venture because we believe it is bound to fail. We can’t possibly imagine ourselves being successful and enjoying the fruits of our success. We make comparisons with others who have climbed to the top and wrongly believe they were lucky and that we will not benefit from the same fortune.

I can sometimes also be guilty of this debilitating thinking too. It is something I have to constantly battle with when someone tells me one of my ideas is, “Unrealistic.”

It’s common to be the recipient of negative feedback from the many losers who occupy our network of friends, family, and contacts.

“That’s unlikely to happen to you,” is a typical response when they hear a new idea, forgetting one important factor: it has to happen to someone. If we all listened to these dullards, no one would try anything novel. It would be a world of mud huts, horse drawn carriages, goulash, and rap music.

I remember watching the film King Richard. It’s about the father of the two Williams sisters. In the film, a well respected tennis coach tells Richard Williams it’s as likely that he has two of the best tennis players in the world living in his house as two Mozarts residing there.

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The fact is the two Williams sisters were probably not even the best female tennis players in the world at the time. With 8 billion people in the world, it’s statistically highly unlikely. It’s also unlikely that Mozart during his lifetime was the most talented composer, Muhammad Ali the most gifted boxer, and Warren Buffet the most visionary investor. The difference is: all these people believed, never slacking from mastering their craft. They saw themselves doing the impossible. Those who possessed more talent gave up along the way, going to the grave with unfulfilled potential.

Perhaps you have visions of publishing a best selling book, becoming a famous actor, a successful sports person, or a swashbuckling entrepreneur. All of it is entirely possible and within your grasp.

When someone says, “You’re not Richard Branson!” Answer with, “No, I’m better!”

When the naysayers start with their nonsense, when doubt begins to creep into your thoughts, and when you hear the words, “be realistic” remember: “Why not me?” And then get on with it.

Happy Monday!

Banner Image: What are you waiting for? Image Credit – Alina Grubnyak