What Will Be Different About 2013?

“What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?” – Vincent Van Gogh 

With the New Year in sight, Van Gogh’s quote opens the door to possibility. What would be a breakthrough for you in 2013? In other words, what would you like to accomplish, such that, once it’s done, your future will be changed forever.

Sounds impossible?  I say no. When the Wright Brothers had their first successful flight, the future of transportation was altered forever. The event that changes in your life does

not have to redirect the lives of the world. It could be marriage, a first child, your own company, or the career path you have always wanted.

To often, people are derailed from possibilities that are in their mind. What stops us? The voices of others. We hear family, friends and the media say ‘it can’t be done’, ‘the economy is bad’, ‘you don’t have what it takes’, etc. Once we buy into those conversations, the possibility is lost. We take what others say as the truth. We believe them and push our dreams and aspirations aside. From there, it is back to business as usual – the maze of mediocrity.

What makes matters worse is that when someone asks about our dreams we make excuses based on what we heard from others. We hear their voices in our head as though it was our own. And then we are stuck with a belief.

Belief is the enemy of mankind’s progress. Once you believe anything, you are stuck. Belief closes the door to what’s possible. Our beliefs are held as facts even when there is no proof to support them. Nevertheless, our beliefs shape our actions. If we don’t believe it, we are taught that we cannot achieve it. And action stops. 

I ask that you look at life from another perspective. Belief gives a false sense of what’s possible. Most of you reading this do not need to believe in the possibility of walking. You know you can walk. However, as a child, you failed miserably at your first few attempts to walk. Yet, you stood for the possibility to make it happen. How often do children attempt to walk? How often to they fall? Except, over time, the possibility becomes reality. 

In 2013, each of us has the possibility to experience Van Gogh’s quote by producing a breakthrough of our own. Stand for a possibility that you have never accomplished in the past. However, it has to be something for which you are willing to be responsible. Look at the opportunity, examine your resources, make a plan and take action one step at a time.

Good luck and Happy New Year!