“Beware the thief in the street who would steal your purse, but more so beware the thief in your mind that would steal your promise.” ~Jim Rohn
About a year ago, I did an informal survey on a business networking site and asked the question – “What do you know now that you wish you’d known then?” There were the normal responses having to do with organizational issues, work/life balance, time management and capital issues. However, I was surprised to find the overwhelming number of responses that were related to “head” issues – confidence, focus, overcoming fear, and staying positive.
It makes me think of the old cartoons where the character would have a little devil on one shoulder telling him to do the bad thing and a little angel on the other shoulder urging him to do what’s right. Some days I feel like I have little distracting gremlins on my shoulder pulling me away from what I need to be doing. They’re especially persuasive every time I get ready to do something new or approach a new client prospect. Do you ever hear them too? They try to put thoughts in our head of how we’re too short. Or too tall. Or too old. Or too young. Or lacking the proper credentials. Or in over our heads. And on and on and on.
Ever heard the saying “You’re your own worst enemy”? Too often we are the architects of our own downfall. There is an old text that talks about taking our thoughts captive and renewing our mind. That’s a smart thing to do when you’re in business. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of messages every day giving us reasons why we’re “less than” the other guy but when those messages start to creep in, you need to take them captive. Filter through them. Sometimes they may, indeed, point out some area you need to improve upon. However, most of the time they’re just trash talk.
One of the best ways I’ve found to keep them in check is to renew my mind. I do that through a healthy dose of motivation. I read a lot of books, but lately I’ve been downloading mp3 books and rather than frittering away time just listening to the radio, I use my driving time for input from folks like the late Jim Rohn (my all time favorite) or Larry Winget (love his point blank style) or John Maxwell or the great Les Brown. There are plenty of them out there, but these are some of my favorites.
You’re not alone when those thoughts start rolling through your brain; it’s something we all have to deal with as was evidenced by feedback from small business people across the country. Just because they’re there, you don’t have to believe what they’re telling you. Take control of your thoughts and don’t let them steal your promise.