This metaphor struck me during a casual conversation yesterday. Given a choice, would you want to obtain the powers of Magneto or Professor X? Most people are more appealed by what Magneto can do. He can control anything metal, which you have probably seen his ability to manipulate from bullets, guns, airplanes, cars, trucks, bridge, entire stadium to an army fleet of missiles. It is probably far more impressive with what he can do compare to Professor X. He likes to mock Professor X for being compassionate as his weakness. Though Professor X’s abilities may not look impressive on the outside, he is able to inspire and win people’s respect with his abilities of mind control and telepathic powers to bring about a purposeful coexistence among mutants and humanity through his approach. In life, it is tempting to go for the more impressive choices, isn’t it? In reality, who really cares much about bringing forth a greater good for humanity and mother earth as much as striving for massive success and wealth for ourselves? But, what most people don’t see is that those who are truly successful and wealthy focus a lot on the difference they can make and the value they can contribute to others. In the context of magic, most people desire to learn how to perform miracles like levitation across great distances and heights, walk on water, transposition, doing life threatening acts and other stunning effects to WOW people than to perform street magic using borrowed everyday items from audience. However, what most people don’t realise is that simple things can hit hard as well! It is the simple things that can kill as well. In fact, Jackie Chan almost lost his life not to a difficult stunt, but a simple routine stunt of jumping onto a tree in the Armour of God movie! You would probably find more participants attending seminars or workshops that could help them achieve massive wealth, financial freedom and success than a meditation or personal development types of courses that focus on strengthening the foundations of our minds and emotions for success. It is not uncommon to find stories in the market selling dreams such as “you can make millions of dollars through trading and investing in certain instruments and secret strategies xxxxx…Plus backing up from testimonials of those who made a year’s salary in only two weeks and some who have turned a small account into a million bucks!” Yes, there are truth behind those stories, but there is also one truth that is never told - how does it end? Most ended in tragedy. Poor financial and risk management, complacency, reckless overtrading and inconsistency usually plague such quick successes. What we do not see in most cases is the ugly truth. We do not get to see losers, we will never get to see the hundreds and thousands who were wiped out. Most people didn’t really understand how difficult it is for those few successful ones to make that living. We do not see past the hype to understand in reality, how much studying, hard work and endless hours of preparations & practice it takes to achieve that “easy” life. Most do not get to hear about how much losses were accrued before wealth accumulation started. The key to success lies in building strong foundations and fundamentals. It is being down to earth, realistic, pragmatic and consistent. It lies in our psychology and fundamental attitudes or mindset. The problem with us is that these are pretty boring. We get bored with simple stuff or micro tweaks. Our mind craves for fanciful, attractive and glamorous results to justify for the worthwhileness of investing our time and money into something. However, most people don’t realise it is the simple stuff that can make or break! Those who really make it big time are the ones who are consistent in building on small incremental milestones. It is like the snow ball effect. The foundation comes from the integrity of the snow accumulating, rather than trying to create a lump of ball haphazardly that is weak or hollow in the core which cannot withstand the impact. Moreover, we know a lot of these fundamental mindset such as discipline, integrity, consistency, patience and so on. Why should I pay to learn something I already know? But knowing and living it is a whole world of difference! It is only a few who held true to their fundamentals that helped them withstand the test of time and circumstances. You cannot run away from it if your foundations are weak even if you know a lot, because the cracks will show up somehow if you do not have the substance of what it takes! Again, it is our attitude that makes the difference. We don’t see the usefulness of investing our time and money to practice building strong foundations to step up from what we already have, but always likes to aim for big successes without the hard work that is required. If we really want to breakthrough our glass ceilings and move on to the next level in life, be it career, business, relationship, health, finances and so on, this attitude illness is the main thing we should focus on - the disease of our ego thinking that we are already good & comfortable enough and that only when there is miracle, then I will move for it kind of mentality. Get down to the fundamentals without being overly ambitious. Be patient and focus on the small steps that create the bigger impact. It can only happen when we evaluate ourselves honestly, be willing to face the truth and practice our craft with due diligence, even when no one is watching!
Posted on: Thu, 29 May 2014 00:36:53 +0000