Tag Archives: Mindset

Steve Jobs on Consulting

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“Consulting is like a picture of a banana. You might get a very accurate picture, but it’s only two dimensional. Without the experience of actually doing it, you never get three dimensional.” ~ Steve Jobs

Apple founder and CEO Steve Jobs walked into a room full of MIT MBA students and asked how many were going into consulting business.

Many hands went up.

He said their careers would be “like a picture of a banana.”

“You might get a very accurate picture. But you never really taste it.”

He spent the next 60 minutes explaining what actually builds careers:

“Without owning something over an extended period of time, where one has a chance to take responsibility for one’s recommendations, where one has to see one’s recommendations through all action stages and accumulate scar tissue for the mistakes and pick oneself up off the ground and dust oneself off, one learns a fraction of what one can.”

He continued:

“Coming in and making recommendations and not owning the results, not owning the implementation, I think is a fraction of the value and a fraction of the opportunity to learn and get better.”

“You do get a broad cut at companies, but it’s very thin.”

Then the line that made the room go silent:

“It’s like a picture of a banana. You might get a very accurate picture, but it’s only two dimensional. Without the experience of actually doing it, you never get three dimensional.”

“So you might have a lot of pictures on your walls. You can show it off to your friends. You can say, look, I’ve worked in bananas, I’ve worked in peaches, I’ve worked in grapes.”

“But you never really taste it.”

This was 1992. Jobs had been fired from Apple seven years earlier. He was running NeXT. He had scar tissue.

Mindset – Playing to Learn

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“I play to learn something…The worst possible thing you can ever do is to stop. It’s to not learn.” ~ Kobe Bryant

An interviewer asks NBA basketball legend and Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant the following question: “Are you someone who loves to win or hates to lose?”

Kobe responds:

“I’m neither. I play to figure things out. I play to learn something. Because if you play with a fear of failure or you play with the will to win that supersedes fear, I think it’s a weakness either way. If you play with fear of failing, you’ll capitulate to that fear. If you play with the sense of ‘I want to win, I want to win,’ then you have the fear of what happens if you don’t. But if you find common ground in the center, you’re unfazed by either. That enables you to stay in the moment and not feel anything other than what’s in front of you.”

The interviewer asks: “How did you become someone who doesn’t seem afraid of failing?”

Kobe responds:

“What does failure mean? It doesn’t exist. It’s a figment of your imagination.”

He explains with an analogy:

“Let’s use happy endings. Everybody wants a happy ending, right? Snow White finds her prince and lives happily ever after. Well, I call BS on that because two months later, they had an argument and he’s sleeping on the couch. The point is: the story continues. So if you fail on Monday, the only way it’s a failure is if you decide to not progress from that. If I fail today, I’m going to learn something from that failure and try again on Tuesday. That’s why failure doesn’t exist.”

The interviewer asks: “If you finished your career without a championship, would you have looked at that as a failure?”

Kobe:

“No. I would look at it as being extremely disappointed, because I had a dream and goals I wanted to accomplish. If I didn’t accomplish those goals, I’d have to ask myself why. Poor leadership? Failure to communicate with my teammates? Lack of preparation? Those would be reasons why I didn’t win. So I’d have to analyze that. And as I evolved post-basketball into business, those same weaknesses would reveal themselves there too. If I don’t learn from that, I’m going to struggle again.”

He concludes:

“I can take those situations and learn from them and have them make me a better person later in life. But if I don’t take that stuff and apply it someplace else, that’s failing. The worst possible thing you can ever do is to stop. It’s to not learn.”

What You Focus on Grows

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“Every day you have a choice. You can choose to focus on the many reasons to feel angry, sad, and defeated. Or you can choose to focus on the many reasons to feel grateful, blessed, and happy. Choose wisely.”

Your attention and focus decide the tone and direction of your life, since what you focus on grows louder and larger.

Anger and discouragement multiply when you feed them, and so does gratitude. Nothing can change outwardly until your mindset shifts on the inside.

You can let frustration hijack your day and joy, or you can ground and focus yourself in what’s good, pleasing, and excellent.

Both options are available to you every morning.

While one, frustration, can drain you, the other, gratitude, can steady you.

Happiness isn’t pretending things are perfect; it’s choosing not to let what’s wrong blind you to what’s right. That choice, repeated daily, quietly reshapes your entire life.

When you focus on the good in your life and are always gratefu, you are more likely to see opportunities and take action to make your goals a reality.

Don’t Settle for Comfort

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“Don’t settle for a life smaller than your dreams. You are capable of more than you imagine, and every step toward your potential honors the purpose you were given.” ~ Nelson Mandela

This quote or idea emphasizes living to your fullest potential rather than accepting mediocrity or comfort over growth.  It requires not settling or turning away from the person you’re meant to become.

Don’t settle for a life that is less than you are capable of living. Your potential is not an accident, and neither is your desire for more. Every day you accept less than what you’re capable of, a part of you quietly knows you’re meant for something greater.

You weren’t created to get by, to stay comfortable, or to repeat the same year over and over. You were created to grow, to stretch, to rise, and to see what becomes possible when you stop shrinking yourself to fit a smaller life.

Start where you are, with what you have, but refuse to stay where you are. Trade excuses for action, fear for courage, and doubt for one small bold step at a time. Your future self is already thanking you for not settling.

 

 

Living Strong and Courageous

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“Today, I will walk in strength and courage.”

Living “strong and courageous” is a mindset that starts with what you believe and how you choose to think about yourself and your challenges. Thus, it’s essential to cultivate a positive and grateful mindset that anything is possible.

• Choose courage, don’t wait to feel it. Courage is usually a decision you make before the feelings show up; action often creates the feeling of bravery, not the other way around.
• Adopt a growth mindset. See every struggle as training and a learning opportunity, not as a verdict on your self-worth; ask, “What can I learn from this?” instead of “Why is this happening to me?”
• Focus on who you’re becoming. Measure progress by the character you’re building (grit, patience, faith, integrity), not just by quick outcomes.
• Redefine and reframe the fear. Treat fear as a signal that something matters, not as a stop sign; “I’m scared” becomes “I’m stretching.”
• Stand on something bigger than yourself. Many draw strength from faith, purpose, or service: “I’m doing this with God / for my family / for those who need me,” which makes courage less about ego and more about mission.

Daily practices that build strength and courage

• Morning reset: Say a simple declaration aloud, like, “Today I will walk in strength and courage,” and name one hard thing you will face on purpose.
• Tiny brave acts: Do one small uncomfortable thing every day (a hard conversation, a new task, a boundary); courage is a muscle that grows with reps.
• Honest reflection: At night, ask, “Where did I act courageously today? Where did I hide?” and thank yourself for even the smallest win.
• Guard your thoughts: Notice automatic negative thoughts (“I can’t, I always fail”) and replace them with truth-based ones (“This is hard, but I am learning and growing”).
• Lean on support: Strong and courageous doesn’t mean “alone”; share your struggles with at least one trusted person and let them stand with you.

A simple mental framework

When you face something hard, walk through three quick questions:
1. What am I afraid of right now? (Name it clearly.)
2. Who do I want to be in this moment? (Strong, honest, kind, disciplined, etc.)
3. What is one small courageous action I can take in the next 10 minutes?
If you’d like, tell me a situation you’re facing right now, and I can help you shape a specific “strong and courageous” mindset statement and action plan around it.

Impossible is an opinion!

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“Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion!” – Muhammad Ali

Prior to May 6, 1954, most scientific experts believed that a man running a sub-four-mile physiologically impossible, Yet, Roger Bannister stunned the world running 3:59.4 despite widespread belief that it defied human limits.

The mindset “Impossible is an opinion” treats limits as temporary beliefs, not fixed reality. It shifts focus from what cannot be done to what might become possible through belief, action, learning, and persistence.

“Impossible” is usually a description of how something feels, not what is objectively true; it reflects fear, doubt, or lack of current knowledge and courage

The great heavy weight boxing champion Muhammad Ali captured this with: “Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion… Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”

Bannister later reflected that his achievement was a triumph of mindset over perceived limits.

The Psychology of Money

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“Wealth is what you don’t see. It’s the cars not bought, the diamonds not purchased, the watches not worn, the clothes forgone, and the first-class upgrade declined.” ~ Morgan Housel

Doing well with money and building wealth aren’t necessarily about what you know. It’s about your habits and how you behave. And behavior is hard to teach, even to really smart people, writes Morgan Housel in his book The Psychology of Money.

In the real world, people don’t make financial decisions on a financial spreadsheet. They make them at the family dinner table, or in a bar, where personal history, your own unique view of the world, ego, pride, marketing, and odd incentives are scrambled together.

In The Psychology of Money, award-winning author Morgan Housel explored the strange ways people think about and behave around money. He teaches you how to make better sense of one of life’s most important topics.

Below are 15 important and life changing lessons and quotes from The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel:

1. Money is a tool. It’s not an end in itself. “Controlling your time is the highest dividend money pays.”

2. Don’t let your emotions control your spending. Be mindful of the emotions that can drive you to overspend, and learn to control them.

3. Invest for the long term. The stock market will go up and down in the short term, but over the long term, it goes up. “Growth is driven by compounding, which always takes time. Destruction is driven by single points of failure, which can happen in seconds.”

4. Don’t try to time the market. No one can predict the future, so don’t try to guess when to buy and sell stocks. “The enemies of investing success are impatience and the illusion of control.”

5. Diversify your investments. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Spread your money across different asset classes to reduce your risk.

6. Don’t be afraid to take risks. But don’t be reckless either. “Luck and risk are both the reality that every outcome in life is guided by forces other than individual effort.”

7. Pay yourself first. Make sure you save money for your future before you spend it on anything else. “The highest form of wealth is the ability to wake up every morning and say, ‘I can do whatever I want today.’”

8. Live below your means. The less you spend, the more money you’ll have to save and invest. “Saving is the gap between your ego and your income.”

9. Don’t compare yourself to others. Everyone is on their own journey. Focus on your own financial goals and don’t worry about what others have. “Be nicer and less flashy. No one is impressed with your possessions as much as you are.”

10. Be patient. Building wealth takes time. Don’t expect to get rich quick. “Compounding works best when you can give a plan years or decades to grow.”

11. Be grateful. Appreciate what you have, both in terms of your financial situation and in your life in general.

12. Help others. One of the best ways to feel good about your money is to use it to help others.

13. Be kind to yourself. Everyone makes mistakes. Don’t beat yourself up if you make a financial mistake. Just learn from it and move on.

14. Never give up. The road to financial independence is long and winding, but it’s worth it. Keep working hard and never give up on your goals.

15. Money can’t buy happiness. But it can buy peace of mind and security. “Doing something you love on a schedule you can’t control can feel the same as doing something you hate.”

The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel is a book about the emotional side of money. It’s about how our feelings about money can lead us to make bad decisions. It’s also about how to overcome these emotional biases and make better financial decisions.

Source:  Morgan Housel, The Psychology of Money

 

Personal Strength vs. Emotional Stress

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“You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” — Marcus Aurelius

In enginering, when the stress in a material exceeds its strength, the material will fail (e.g., deform, fracture, or break). In one’s personal life, when daily emotional stress exceeds internal personal strength, then the mind and body can also fail resulting in fatigue, mental breakdown, and physical/ mental illness.

In enginering as in life, the opposite of stress is strength. To overcome stress of a life lived fully, you must be stronger on the inside than the stress on the outside.

Emotional stress refers to the psychological strain or pressure experienced in response to challenging, overwhelming, or adverse situations, while emotional strength is the ability to effectively manage, process, and recover from such experiences with resilience and adaptability.

Emotional Stress

• Emotional stress occurs when life events, pressures, or changes trigger feelings such as anxiety, sadness, frustration, or overwhelm.
• It is a normal part of life, but when it becomes chronic or unmanaged, it can negatively impact overall well-being and hinder daily functioning.
• Signs of emotional stress may include irritability, mood swings, sleep difficulties, physical symptoms, and trouble focusing.

Emotional Strength

• Emotional strength is the capacity to recognize, regulate, and navigate emotions in healthy ways, even during adversity or crisis.
• It involves traits like resilience, perseverance, optimism, emotional awareness, vulnerability, adaptability, and the ability to bounce back after setbacks.
• Emotionally strong individuals acknowledge pain and negative emotions but are able to manage them constructively, learn from challenges, and maintain self-control

A person who is resilient tends to keep moving forward in spite of disappointment, grief, or heartbreak and is said to have emotional strength. Emotional strength is the ability to manage and navigate one’s emotions and behavior effectively, especially in challenging or stressful situations.

Proverbs 24:10 states: “If you grow weak when trouble comes, your strength is very small!”

The bottom line is: “Life doesn’t get easier or more forgiving; we get stronger and more resilient.” — Steve Maraboli

Source:  https://high5test.com/emotional-strength/

BELIEVE, HAVE FAITH, ALWAYS BE GRATEFUL 

Millionaires’ Financial Things and Essentials

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Unexpected things about millionaires reveal patterns that often contradict popular stereotypes:

• Most millionaires are self-made, with about 80% to 79% having built their wealth themselves rather than inheriting it. Only a minority (around 20%) inherit substantial wealth or family businesses.

• Millionaires tend to be frugal and pragmatic rather than flashy. For example, many drive used cars that are a few years old rather than brand-new luxury vehicles, saving on depreciation and insurance costs. They often avoid extravagant purchases and live below their means.
• They emphasize long-term consistent investing rather than chasing quick riches or risky gambles. About 75% attribute their wealth to regular investing over many years.
• Millionaires often come from ordinary educational backgrounds, with most graduating from public or state colleges rather than elite private schools, although a college degree is common (around 88%).
• Many millionaires exhibit specific personality traits such as high conscientiousness, openness, extraversion, and low neuroticism. They are generally more risk-tolerant than the average person but are disciplined about money.
• They are not heavily into high-end fashion, preferring simple, timeless clothing over fast fashion or expensive brands. Shopping lists and coupon usage are common habits to avoid unnecessary spending.
• Millionaires generally pay off mortgages relatively quickly (average around 10 years), avoiding decades of debt.
• Many millionaires view financial independence as more important than social status or material displays of wealth.
• Millionaires are often resilient, embracing failure and uncertainty as part of their success path, and are proactive in creating opportunities rather than waiting for luck.
• Despite stereotypes, the majority do not live extravagant lifestyles but focus on building and preserving wealth through disciplined financial habits and smart decision-making.

These insights show millionaires to be careful, pragmatic, disciplined, and often surprisingly modest with their money, rather than flaunting wealth or relying on inheritance.

Source: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20-millionaire-facts-you-may-believe-habeeb-mahmood-5xpqf

Life’s Inspirational Quotes

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Great and inspirational quotes:

“Focus on the process, not the outcome. If you take care of the process, the outcome will take care of itself.”
— Unknown

“Enjoy the journey and try to get better every day. And don’t lose the passion and the love for what you do.”
— Nadia Comaneci


“I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions.” Stephen Covey

“The world is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper.” Bertrand Russell

“We can do anything we want to if we stick to it long enough.” Helen Keller

“What great thing would you attempt if you knew you could not fail?” Robert H. Schuller

“The most important thing is this: To be able at any moment, to sacrifice what you are, for what you will become.” Eric Thomas

“At your birth a seed is planted. That seed is your uniqueness. It wants to grow, transform itself, and flower to its full potential. It has a natural, assertive energy to it. Your life’s task is to bring that seed to flower, to express your uniqueness through your work.” Robert Greene

“Everyone here has the sense that right now is one of those moments when we are influencing the future.” Steve Jobs

“Be who you were created to be and you will set the world on fire.” Unknown

“It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.” Tony Robbins

“One day, you’ll be just a memory for some people. Do your best to be a good one.” Unknown

“Discipline is remembering what you want.” David Campbell

“When will you begin that long journey into yourself?” Rumi

“The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.” H. Jackson Brown Jr

Source:  https://wisdomquotes.com/quote-of-the-day/