Tip: It’s time for a check-up from the neck up!
Since we have all been experiencing a “new normal” lately, I thought it might be worthwhile for us to re-visit a concept that will play a major role in whether or not we have a successful life. All of us want our lives, businesses and families to experience good success, if that is possible. However, it will not happen by accident. There are several things that must happen deliberately in order for us to enjoy the success that we desire. I have discovered that real success only comes as a by-product of doing certain other things.
You may have heard the famous quote of Zig Ziglar: “We all need a daily check-up from the neck up to avoid stinkin’ thinkin’ which ultimately leads to hardening of the attitudes.” I know the phrase may be cute, but it really is true. As a person thinks in his (or her) mind, so is he. This is not a new concept. It is as old as the wisdom of Solomon and as current as modern medicine. Science is constantly proving that a good, healthy attitude and self-image do much to help a person’s physical well-being.
From what I have read, Henry Ford must have been quite an individual. I heard that he often made comments to his management team that kept them on their toes. It is reported that he once said, “If you don’t think it can be done, you are no longer on my team!” He was not very tolerant of people telling him what would not work and what could not be done. He was an innovator who was always looking for new and better ways to do things. He is also credited for the statement, “There are two kinds of people in the world – those that think they can do everything and those who don’t think they can do anything. And, you know what? They are both right!” He strongly believed that a person could actually think their way through a problem and emerge successful on the other side. He reasoned that, in many cases, the only thing limiting them was their own limited thinking. As I think about all that (pun intended) I realize you also have to put some “shoe leather” into your ideas. Thinking and acting should go hand in hand!
I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be a negative person. I don’t want to be one of the crowd that says, “This will never work,” or, “We’ve never done it that way before.” And, I certainly don’t want to be a dream-killer by telling someone that what they want to do is impossible. Just think of where we would be today if some of the people in our world had listened to all of “whiners” in their life or failed to get past all of the negative words of others. They never would have accomplished all of the impossible deeds that they later accomplished!
As you know, Steve Jobs, founder of Apple Computers, has passed away. One of his dreams was for every student to have a computer in school. When he shared his vision years ago, people could hardly understand what he was talking about, because at that time, it took a big building to house just one computer. How in the world was someone going to put many computers into one building? Of course, that seems ridiculous in this day and age because most of us carry a computer in our briefcase, or even in our pockets! You see, Steve Jobs was able to avoid stinkin’ thinkin’ by giving himself a check-up from the neck up.
I recently read an article that Apple, the company Steve Jobs started, had over a trillion dollars in assets. That is a staggering figure! I’ll bet the people who criticized his ideas are a little taken back by the fact that they actually did work. Mr. Jobs had such strong thoughts in his head that he was able to accomplish seemingly impossible tasks.
I could go on and on, but I think you get the idea. But, it is up to you and me to determine what goes on in our minds and how we will think about issues related to life. I have found that as I grow in my own personal life sometimes things get more difficult and become more challenging. Yet, that gives me the opportunity to decide whether or not I will move past my own limited thinking to see what possibly can be done. I certainly want that for myself, and I want it for you either.
Consider what goes through your mind everyday and put your good thoughts into action. Learn to dream big! Think about things you would like to see accomplished and then set out to do them. You will never know what you can do until you try!
Tip: It’s time for a check-up from the neck up!
Have a great week! God bless you!
Dr. Robert A. Rohm
