Chapter 1 – “Believe you can Succeed and you will”

“Not many people believe they can move mountains. So, as a result, not many people do.”

What can you do with your life? More important what do you want in your life? Are you working towards it?

Do you aspire to live in debt and just pay your bills? D you like being a slave to your job? No? Then why chose that life style? Just take a subjective look around, no matter your current position look at the cashier at O’Reilly Auto Parts is this the career you aspire to? Look at the movies do you see any homeless college professors? Do you see doctors dragging around town poorly dressed because they don’t have money? Is that a stock broker in the new Maserati or a CEO? Regardless of your position today it does not take a genius to see these people got an education and developed a skill. Are you at the bar on Friday night or in the gym followed by two hours of studying? Life is what you chose. Chose Success!

The moment you believe something is impossible it is. Starting a new job? Want to move up? Why are you acting average? Think about people you know who are average, did they ever attempt something great? If they did I bet you heard the phrase “I didn’t think it would work” or “I’m not too surprised it didn’t work out”. Really? Of course it did not work out when from the start believe was placed in failure.

Jump back to the O’Reilly cashier, you know the two, both were hired one year ago and knew nothing about cars. The first looks board is not overly friendly and still cannot tell a radiator from a alternator. The second – well that is the guy who greets you by name when you enter the door, he is in a good mood. He has been reading his Car Craft at night and knows his parts. He has totally immersed himself in the job at hand. He is succeeding, because he believed in himself and acted on it. This man is not maxing his minimums, he is accomplishing goals! Luck, knowledge, skills, not at all! Just plain old ambition and hard work.

The book then talks about the two foremen of your mind, Mr Triumph and Mr. Defeat. Your mind is a thought factory; always put Mr. Triumph on the job.

In closing the chapter outlines three guides to developing the power of belief.

#1) Think success, not failure. How do you start a difficult project, with the idea that you will win! One of the best life lessons a person can receive is how to remove a tree trunk. The answer is obvious, dig. It is not easy, roots go deep. If you think the task is impossible it will be, you will give up before the tree does. If you think the task is possible it is. Dig find what is stopping you cut through that root, another will be holding you back, cut it, another, another, another and so it continues but then one day the stump is free. Your success has manifested itself and you succeeded because you knew you could complete the task. Removing a fence post set in concrete is a similar experience. Gain these experiences and then complete what you want in life.

#2) Remind yourself regularly you are better than you think you are. I cannot lend much insight here, see #1 and guide #2 doesn’t even apply.

#3) Believe Big. Think little goals and reach little achievements, think big goals and win big success. How much easier can it be? Or a quote I often think of “Aim for the moon; even if you miss you’ll land among the stars.”

Schwartz concludes with a case study; study the most successful person you know and the most unsuccessful person you know. Share below what you have observed in these two people.

Mr. Big