I once read a life-giving quote. It wasn’t one of those simple thoughts that sounded nice, but are devoid of true lasting change. Instead, it was a quote that stopped me in my tracks and caused me to completely reevaluate my presumptions. Unfortunately, I didn’t make note of where I saw it and am unable to locate it. But the quote went something like this:
“Before you can be successful, you must believe you can be successful.”
I find inspiration in this mantra. Now, just to be clear, it isn’t a “just embrace the power of positive thinking and become incredibly successful” inspiration. Instead, it is the type of quote that forces me to evaluate my own intentions, motivations, and thoughts.
You see, before anyone will take the appropriate steps needed to chase success, they must believe two things:
- They must believe they have value to offer (e.g. a product, a service, or philosophy).
- They must believe they are capable of spreading it and equipped to deliver it.
This line of thinking has forever changed my view of writing and the opportunities for influence I pursue. For most of my life, I did not believe my thoughts were worth spreading. I knew them, but didn’t think they held much value for other people’s lives. As a result, I was slow to share them and rarely looked for opportunities to introduce them to others. Simply put, I didn’t believe “success” was something I could achieve.
I was unwilling to put in the hard work and extra effort to become a person of change because I did not believe in my message and/or my ability to deliver it. The first step, then, was to simply realize I held something of value that needed to be shared.
As you seek to find significance and change this world for good, believe in your message. Believe in the good you have to offer.
It may require time and effort invested into your message to further craft it into something life-changing and inspirational. But once it is and you begin to believe that it is, you’ll find the motivation required to seek out greater opportunities to deliver it.
Image: Wolfgang Staudt
Summer says
I would love one Joshua Becker in my home
Terry Hadaway says
We all have messages that should be shared. We just don’t have to do them the same way. As a writer, I love helping others discover the writer inside them. When they see that first blog post or article come to life, they get a little spring in their step. Maybe we should spend more time expressing and less time in the express line at the store.
Aditya says
‘Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us’
—Nelson Mandela
So many times in our life, we have a good thought, good product or a good philosophy, but we just don’t have the right belief in ourselves.
One solution to this is to surround yourself with people who are go getters and believers themselves. These are the people who will recognize ideas, reward excellence and pull you up when you are down.
Our lives are too short to be lived alone anyway, so why not seek people who we can learn from, get inspired and hopefully inspire others in the future?
Thanks for the article..Excellent read as always.
LaTonya Wilkins says
#2 “They must believe they are capable of spreading it and equipped to deliver it” is such the key! Very well said. Sometimes you have a good idea but just do not know how to implement it. You have to continuously tell yourself (even after setbacks or a slow start) that you are equipped.
Elle says
This is so true! There are so many things I want to do in life but when I sit down to do them, I feel like maybe I’m wasting my time, then go back to doing the everyday grind stuff. I’ve finally realized you have as much time as you think you do.. so go for it!
paul says
I’ve found the reason I’ve had the success I’ve had is because I’ve never believed I couldn’t do anything. I thought starting my company could work, so I did (and haven’t looked back for 15 years). I thought writing a book, then another could work, so I did it.
I’m definitely not smarter or better than other folks, I just think I’m sometimes more open to experimenting. I’ve failed many times (in business and other areas), but I keep trying new things, pushing my own boundaries and not letting self-doubt or fear guide me.
Joe Russo says
Great reminder Josh. Thanks for all that you do!
Meaghan Hall says
Thanks for this. Your thoughts really encourage me. I feel like I am just at the beginning of figuring out what what I’m truly meant for and how to be content with what I have and who I am. Your thoughts really helped point me in a good direction.
Raymund Tamayo says
Thank you for the inspiration, Joshua.
Right now, I’m kind of in a crossroad in my life. I want to share my message to the world, but what holds me back is fear.
I want to quit my day job and concentrate on sharing my message, but I fear for my family. How can we survive without a steady and sufficient income? I fear those that’s why I hold on to my 8 to 5 job even when I feel like my talents are wasted.
But thank you for this post, as everything is becoming clearer. God bless!
Kimberly Devin says
Well your messages really come along – just in time to reinforce a thought I’ve been having!