“The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person who is doing it.” – Chinese proverb
The more I’ve learned about leaders & their businesses (not to mention myself), the more I’ve come to believe that our lives are largely self-fulfilling prophecies. There are certainly exceptions to that rule, but for the most part it holds true.
For example: we work with a number of small- to mid-size businesses in a certain industry. That particular industry is largely split into two camps. One camp says that a small- to mid-size business in that industry cannot survive, that no matter what you do it’s not going to work, so you should just sell out now. The other camp says that there is absolutely a niche for a small- to mid-size business in that industry, and that with the right change in structure and focus, it will work.
The camp that thinks it can’t work doesn’t do any of the things that would be necessary to make it work, and sure enough, ten years later it isn’t working. So, they sell out and then say “I told you so.” The camp that thinks it can work is currently in the process of making it work, they’re as profitable and vibrant as they’ve ever been, and when we go see them they say “I told you so.” And they’re both right.
The point is, if you’ve convinced yourself you can’t do something, you won’t do the things that would be necessary to succeed, and you’ll most likely prove yourself right. If you think something is possible, you’ll put all your energy into those things that could make the possible a reality, and you’ll most likely prove yourself right.
The sad part of this is that the majority of people in the world believe things can’t be done & that success isn’t possible. With that belief, they won’t do it and they’ll fail. So ask yourself: What do I believe about my business? What do I believe about my future? What do I really think is possible? Your beliefs will drive your outcomes, so choose them carefully.
