"I am looking for a lot of men who have an infinite capacity to not know what can't be done." Henry Ford
At the age of 15, Henry Ford dropped out of school to help
on his father’s farm. While he had very little education, he was curious and he
educated himself on the functions of machines. Eventually his tinkering with
watches and other machines earned him
a position as an engineer for Thomas
Edison’s company.
Some how it seems Ford lived by his quote. When you look at
his accomplishments, it is clear he pursued whatever he wanted instead of
viewing inadequate education as an impediment to success. And then he
surrounded himself with people who could commit to produce results even though
the goal appeared insurmountable.
In every person’s life, there are circumstances that give
the appearance of impossible. However, impossible is determined by your view
yourself. It almost never has anything to do with what is in front of you. You
learn your limitations and how to view yourself from your environment. As a
child, adults indoctrinated you with belief systems. Because you trusted those
adults and believed they had your best interest in mind, you rarely questioned
their philosophies. And their beliefs became yours. Those beliefs shaped your
conversations, actions and the friends you chose.
Without awareness, you now promote the same limitations that
were given to you. The people who agree with you are your friends. Those who
think differently are kept at a distance. If you would like to verify this,
listen to the conversations you have with friends and family about what can and
cannot be done in life.
As a rule, there is no proof that what is claimed to be
impossible is impossible. While there may be no blueprint to prove it can be
done and there may be structures missing to make it possible, that does not
mean something is impossible. Yet, some of you go out of your way to find
evidence to support your way of thinking when you believe something is
impossible. For example, in the 1930s, German scientists wanted to send a man
to the moon.
On the other hand, if you took charge of your life and
developed your own philosophies that are independent of your past environment,
not opposite, your perspectives may be foreign to your friends and family. In
fact, your idea of accomplishment may appear unrealistic to them. And they may
want to bring you back to what they call reality. Therefore, if friends who try
to convince you of your limitations surround you, it may be time to find new
friends. It’s your life. You get to choose what’s possible or impossible.
However, if you are only committed to doing what is acceptable to friends,
family and society, you will live a life that adheres to the rules and
restrictions of your past environment.
When you look at those who reap the greatest rewards in
life, they don’t know or care about what can’t be. They set a goal and go after
it with an unyielding desire for achievement. Like Henry Ford, they have the
freedom to choose the life they want.
Today is the beginning of the rest of your life. Which path
will you choose – the one you already know or the one you always wanted?
What do you think? I’m open to ideas. Or if you want to
write me about a specific topic, let me know.
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