If you’re familiar with the story of Napoleon Hill, you know Andrew Carnegie offered Hill an unprecedented opportunity to research the strategies and habits of Carnegie’s friends – America’s most successful business people in the first quarter of 20th century.
The result of his two decades of research was his top-selling 1937 book “Think and Grow Rich” (still a top seller today). The book detailed 13 major findings of Hill’s research.
One of those strategies is the mastermind session, which I sometimes use with small groups of advanced clients.
During a recent session, the gang was talking about motivation and decision-making.
While that was stirring around in my head, I managed to stumble across CC Chapman’s insightful post about inspiration.
Stir in the TED Behind the Scenes video included in CC’s post and you get quite a serving of brain candy. I strongly suggest you read CC’s comments after watching the video.
A few takeaways from the video:
- Everyone fears failure. Even renowned TED speakers like Sir Ken Robinson.
- None of these people are perfect.
- They all seem to have a very clear vision of what they want to accomplish and what’s really, truly important to them.
- Watch what Raghava KK says to Ken Robinson after Raghava’s talk – and how Ken responds.
Little Things
A takeaway from the mastermind chat was recognizing the importance of the little wins that happen when you’re just starting toward a big goal. These little wins are, at first, what fuel us to become what everyone else eventually sees as an overnight success.
A friend who has lost almost 100 lbs over the last two years reminded me of this when saying (paraphrased), “No one sees me doing the hard stuff. The sweat. The celery. They only see the result, and they have no idea how hard it was to get here.”
That friend didn’t say that angrily, but was recognizing that few see the bulk of the effort we make on the way to our goals. The people who didn’t see the loss 500 calories at a time after an hour on the treadmill almost every day for two years know better, but some still have the impression that it disappeared overnight.
Little successes. A mile in 15 minutes today. A mile in 14 minutes after two weeks of effort.
Doesn’t seem like much unless you’re the one having those successes.
Translating that elsewhere
Those small victories fuel the confidence to keep going, regardless of the goal you’re chasing.
I remember a sale to the Wyoming Red Cross and soon after having the X-Prize folks use my software back when almost no one had heard of them. Those were a couple of the small victories I look back on that were essential to building the confidence that helped me move forward.
Remembering those got me to wondering about the small victories that encouraged you. I’d like to hear about them if you don’t mind sharing.
PS: Due to a failure to renew the copyright for “Think and Grow Rich” in a timely manner, this version of the book is public domain. Enjoy.
Want to learn more about Mark or ask him to write about a business, operations or marketing problem? See Mark’s site or contact him via email at mriffey at flatheadbeacon.com.