I have used this mantra for years – always believing that I was the starting point for my own destiny. A friend recently asked me to ready Napoleon Hill ‘Think and Grow Rich’ and I liked this poem written in the book but there is no reference as to who wrote it originally.
If you think you are beaten, you are,
If you think you dare not, you don’t
If you like to win, but you think you can’t,
It is almost certain you won’t.
If you think you’ll lose, you’re lost
For out of the world we find,
Success begins with a person’s will –
It’s all in the state of mind.
If you think you are outclassed, you are,
You’ve got to think high to rise.
You’ve got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win a prize.
Life’s battles don’t always go
To the stronger or faster man
But soon or late the one who wins
Is the one WHO THINKS HE CAN!
One of our values at RedBalloon is ‘being a little dog with a big dog attitude’ which to means be nimble and courageous, standing up for yourself and being heard.
Persistence and having a thick skin also helps (my mother used to say I had my head in the clouds and I was a dreamer) But to dream is to create reality.
My son asked me at dinner the other night about all the jobs I had ever had. My first was in a toy shop ($5 pay for 6 hours work) I was fired when they discovered I lied about my age (I was 13). I was fired from a dress shop because I couldn’t fold clothes neatly, fired from a pub because I couldn’t pour beers. In fact, as I shared my story with my son I realised that I was fired from 8 out of my first 10 jobs. These were all holiday jobs or part time – but still one develops a thick skin.
Even with this very average start to my ‘brilliant career’ I still dreamed that I would one day be the CEO of a major blue chip company. I always believed in myself (and I have friends, and family around me too who support me amazingly) – even if on face value I did not appear to have such great prospects. My career did look much brighter when I got a ‘real’ job. I managed to keep all those jobs – but by then I could see the value in what I did – and I had a purpose.
David Wayne says
The poet who wrote this inspiring poem was Walter D. Wintle.
Michael Roxas says
Hi Naomi,
My name is Michael and I have been reading your blog for over a year now. My wife actually put me on to you after she saw you one sunday morning in one of those business shows. I would just like to say that I have been absorbing all the info that you have posted as I try to get a couple of my own ideas off the ground.
You have been an inspiration and your dedication and resulting success is a true testament of what one can achieve. During days when I feel like throwing in the towel and thinking of abandoning my entrepreneurial pursuits… I find myself reading your blog. It helps to think that someone has stuck with it and made a success of it.
Thank you a lot.
Cheers
Michael Roxas
Lynne Clements says
Hi Naomi,
I’ve just gone ‘live’ with my new business idea, that culminated after reading your book! My business is called Borrow Embellish, it’s a homewares hire business, a totally new concept to people and I think, first to market, so it’s a challenge. But it’s been fun and I just wanted to thank you for your inspiration!
Thanks, Lynne
Naomi says
Lynne,
I’ve just had a look at your website… what fun…inventing a whole new concept. and for people who are time poor (or not very much taste) this is great. Well done.
Thanks also for your kind words on the book….it is so rewarding to learn what actions people have taken as a result of reading it. So thanks for taking the time to let me know.