Why do some people reach ever-higher levels of achievement, while others struggle or just plug along?
Norman Vincent Peale, the doyen of the think-positive mindset, provides a particularly illustrative example in You Can If You Think You Can (1987):
In Tokyo, I once met an American, an inspiring man, from Pennsylvania. Crippled from some form of paralysis, he was on a round-the-world journey in a wheelchair, getting a huge kick out of all his experiences. I commented that nothing seemed to get him down. His reply was a classic: “It’s only my legs that are paralyzed. The paralysis never got into my mind.”
No matter how formidable your talents, you’ll be held back by certain attitudes and behaviors that limit your achievements.
Your personal constraints—some of them beyond your control—will determine your level of success. Identify those constraints and make a plan to triumph over them.
Idea for Impact: The more you can reframe your attitudes toward the past, future, and present, the more likely you’ll find a meaningful life. Don’t let your constraints lay down what you can achieve.