2024: Making Success Your Mindset
Let's make 2024 the year of 'Yes, I can'.
I meet so many people who think they can’t do something. Self-doubt is crippling us and our ability to live out our dreams, whether they are simple or super complicated. Why not make this the year you conquer that doubt and do something big? (Even if it’s small 👏)
Last year, I failed miserably at a job in a high school cafeteria*. I believe God gives me people and experiences to further my understanding of things, so I wasn’t so upset that I had to change jobs, but I was concerned for the people that I worked with.
One woman specifically warranted prayer from me. I could tell from what little she said that she hadn’t had such an easy life. She looked to be about forty, had an adult son who suffered from symptoms of autism, and the manager of the cafeteria drove her to work every day.
Once during our shift, she mentioned that the next day she was going to try and get her license back after losing it because of a stolen car issue (everyone worked in one room, so I couldn’t help but overhear conversations). I guess in New Jersey, if your license has been suspended, you have to pass your driver’s test again.
The next day she came in very disheartened as she had failed the test, apparently, again. I could tell that she felt completely defeated, and I guessed this wasn’t the first time in her life she had felt like she couldn’t accomplish something.
After I put in my notice, it was my last day and as I was leaving the parking lot, I saw her outside waiting for me. It surprised me to see her because she rarely spoke to me during the day.
“I’m sad that you’re leaving,” she said, surprising me even more.
“Thanks. You know,” I said, smiling at her, “You will pass your driving test. You’re smart and you already know how to drive.”
She looked at me like I had just told her she had won a million dollars. “You think so?”
“Of course. You were driving for a while before you lost it. I failed my first driving test three times. I know you can do it.”
She stood staring at me, and in a moment, a smile came to her face. “Thank you.”
While driving home that day, I realized there must be so many people who never had a supportive parent or some other person in their life that cheered them on. Someone who got them excited about a dream they had and was there to tell them they could do it.
I’m here, right now, writing this so you’ll know there’s someone in your corner; someone who believes in you. Someone who knows you can do it!
Henry Ford, the inventor of the Ford Motor Company and the man who developed the first assembly line, said it perfectly. “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.”
And if that’s a little too vintage for you, look at this one: “Do or do not, there is no try.” …Yoda from The Empire Strikes Back.*
Don’t know what to do when those self-doubt thoughts come? Just remind yourself that you can. Your new mantra should be: “Yes, I can.”
Want to write a book? Yes, you can!
Want to become a voice-over artist, pilot, scientist, have a wildly successful YouTube channel or go to college, go on a cruise, exercise more? Yes, you can!
Here’s what you’re not: too old, too young, too _________ (fill in the blank). Success does not discriminate. You can do this. I’m not blowing smoke here.
Now, alongside of your new mantra “Yes, I can,” mindset, there needs to be a series of actions. So, after you tell yourself that you can, research what it will take to get to your success at the end. I know, I know, they all say, be detached from the outcome, but I never completely understood that concept. Why shouldn’t I think it’s going to happen? What’s the alternative? Thinking that it won’t? Well, I’m not thinking about that! It’s pointless!
I have visualized my paperback book in my hands several times. When doctors told me I couldn’t have a baby, I saw my child in my arms. So I say if you don’t want to look at the outcome, visualize the completion of each action. Step-by-step is what it takes to get there. And every once in a while, if you want to, I give you permission to see your success right in front of your eyes. Cool, right?
Also, if I may add, I consult Jesus every step of the way and I thank Him for my successes (and failures) as I go along. I mean, he’s the whole reason for my life season, so I believe He should get the credit.
In future posts, I’ll write more about this topic. I have a big list of things I want to accomplish this year, this quarter, this month, today. Here’s an example of how I’m starting.
I want to publish 15 books this year. (I have no idea how I’m going to do this but I’ll document it all for you to see and learn from).
I want to grow my Substack to 2000 paid subscribers.
I want to start a wildly successful YouTube channel.
So that’s where I am right now. I’ll keep sharing my actions with you as I go along, to inspire you to keep going! What are you thinking of doing this year? Leave me a comment - I’d love to hear it!
Footnote: In case you were interested, I was good at making sandwiches, and the kids at the school loved me, but I was not so good at making sure the register was correct and that’s a big deal for a manager. The manager was extremely toxic, though, tearing people down and making fun of them. I mean, seriously, you’re making fun of a mom who is trying to earn some money for her family? I showed up on time every day and came to work with a smile. But sometimes I did mess up, and that manager was not so forgiving. So that is why I didn’t stay.
* I love everything Star Wars.