“Failure isn’t permanent unless you quit. So don’t quit.”

~ My new book. (Coming soon!)

The common factor among every man made idea, concept, strategy, philosophy, theory, and among every man made object or material item is the mind.

Every invention from the light bulb to the iPad, started in the mind. Every government structure, every philosophical debate, every psychological theory, every concept for modern trades, every business idea, every war, every electronic blueprint started in the mind.

The mind is powerful.

If you can control your thoughts, you can control your actions. If your thoughts are those of success and innovation, if you are constantly pondering new business ventures and throw the fear of failure to the side, you will be successful.

It doesn’t matter if you score low on an IQ test, it doesn’t matter if you dropped out of high school, it doesn’t matter where you came from, what matters is how you think.

If you want to succeed, think positive, set goals and work towards those goals. The mind can imagine or create anything, however without goals and action those thoughts are merely dreams.

My challenge to you: take 30 minutes to reflect on the idea that the man first imagined everything man made. Once you start to reflect you will realize the potential and power of the mind.

Like this if you accept my challenge!

I recently decided to continue my education in business at Simon Fraser University, and today I was at the registrar figuring out issues with my student card. The registrar didn’t open until 10am, and there were quite a few students sitting around, playing with their phones, listening to their iPods, etc. I walked up to the office doors and started reading a sign, and when I had finished I turned around and there were about 15-20 people lined up behind me!

I was first in line.

I had created the lineup.

Then I started thinking, why is everyone waiting for someone else to take the first step? Why are we so afraid to be the first ones to start something? Why were 20 people waiting for someone to create the line?

There are many reasons, likely the most common being fear.

But as adults, why do we allow these emotions to prevent us from being leaders?

Although my starting the lineup this morning was 100% unintentional, it still reminded it me how critical it is to be a leader in my field. If you have a good idea, set goals and put your idea into reality. People will follow.

My challenge to you: Create a situation this week, where you can practise being a leader.

“For true success ask yourself these four questions: Why? Why not? Why not me? Why not now?” – James Allen.

1) Why? Why do you want to do this? Are you doing it for the right reasons?

2) Why not? Rhetorical question.

3) Why not me? If something needs to be done, why not do it?

4) Why not now? “Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today, if you enjoy it today you can always do it again tomorrow!”

Like this post if it peaked your interest!

In a university class a professor drew a small red dot on the white board, and he asked his students what they saw. Everyone shouted  “a dot.”

The professor asked them to look carefully and answer. Some had the same answer, others said “a red dot.”

He then asked his students if they could not see the white board, the wall on which it was hung, the professor, or the table in front of him.

The students were amazed at their own answer, because yes they could see much more than the red dot. But why were they unable to see it at first?

The professor told them that the reason they couldn’t see everything else at first was due to “focus.” Because he drew a dot, everyone saw the dot. They were unable to see anything else until they had shifted their focus.

When we have difficult people in our lives we focus on the problem or the person causing the problem. The solution is never situated inside but outside the problem. We all deal with difficult people in business and in life, however the key in dealing with these people is to learn to look at the white board and not at the dot.

I’ve been reading a lot of books lately about marketing, innovation, and what it takes to be successful in business. I’ve come to the conclusion that the abstract concept is actually quite simple. Try things.

Try something. If you fail, fail fast and move on to the next thing.

Most people are either too afraid to try something (due to an intense fear of failure), they fail to plan, or they try something and don’t give it 100%.

For the past few years I have been trying things; coming up with new ideas, new concepts, new business plans, etc. Some have worked, some have made me money, but most have not been successful. But here’s the good news…That’s Okay!

In life there will always be more failed attempts than  successful ones, it’s part of the learning process. Business is no different.Thomas Edison failed 10,000 times before inventing the light-bulb. Gretzky missed thousands of shots in his career. Steve Jobs had a ton of unsuccessful business ventures.

The people who make it big, are the people who never stop trying.

My challenge to you: Try something new before the new year.