Daily Inspiration: Having a Tough Time with Something? Try This Trick.

One day, I was walking down the street, past the University Club on the University of Pittsburgh campus.  It was a bright day, and the air was clear, so I paused for a moment, and it occurred to me it is the very same University Club Charles Schwab had once proposed the idea of the Bethlehem Steel Company to Andrew Carnegie.  Though it happened over 140 years ago, it is, in fact, the very same place.
And then I had what Oprah would call an “aha!” moment:  The only thing that makes one person different from any other person is his or her thoughts.
Oh no, you may argue, differences come from background, education, experience, even genetics.  And all of this is true.  However, each of these are so important only because they influence our thoughts now.  Whether we have more skilled, intellectual, confident, or relaxed thought may be the result of biology and environment, but that doesn’t mean that the clever amongst us can’t “hack” our thoughts to become those of the successful.
We all tend to trap ourselves into certain limitations.  Some women, for instance, believe that it is impossible to maintain their weight throughout their lives.  Maybe their mothers didn’t, or their friends say it’s so.  Or some people believe it’s impractical to earn a certain income.  Maybe they feel unqualified, or their surroundings indicate that’s the case.
The key is to stop believing whatever it is that is holding you back.  For instance, I once thought it was “impossible” to earn a high grade in a certain difficult class.  Yet, it occurred to me that there had to be at least one student who aced the class, every semester, every year.  I sought out one of those students.  I asked her what she did, how she studied, where she looked for resources to help her.  And it worked.
So no matter what it is you’re having a tough time with – a class, your weight, your income – try this:
1.)  Find people who aced the class, is at or below your goal weight, has an amazing income, etc.   The more, the better.  If you’re shy, look online for similar cases.
2.)  Ask him or her for advice.  Seriously – you’d be shocked at how many people are more than willing to share their expertise.
3.)  Repeat.  Again and again, until you break down your limiting belief.  You have to realize it is possible.
4.)  Once you realize your goal is possible, set a plan into motion based on what you’ve learned.
5.)  Persevere.  Granted, no two people are exactly the same, so it’s important to remember that what worked for him won’t necessarily work for you.  The key here is to realize the goal can be achieved, and to figure out a game plan from which to start.  You’ll definitely need to tweak it a bit as you go…but that’s part of the game.
Tough Times, originally uploaded by joaobambu.