“Every person who wins in any undertaking must be willing to burn his ships and cut all sources of retreat. Only by so doing can one be sure of maintaining that state of mind known as a BURNING DESIRE TO WIN, essential to success.”
Napoleon Hill
What do you lead? Is it a team, a sport, a family, an organization or something else? Whatever you lead do you have a clear vision?
Leaders must know where they want to go or they suffer from a lack of focus. But once we know where we want to go the above idea comes into play.
As an entrepreneur, leader of a company or parent of a family we must have a burning desire for the vision to become reality. This burning desire is the fuel to obtaining any sort of success. This desire is essential because it will be a part of pulling us through when we want to quit. Let me explain.
An athlete puts him or herself through hours of strenuous conditioning. They are running and their legs feel like they have ten bricks attached to them. They want nothing more than to quit, but then they remember their goal.
They want to be an All-American. During this moment of wanting to quit they remember their desire and press forward.
This requires sacrifice. Of time. Of energy. Of discipline to do the work and eat right. Of practice and more. Their intensity of desire will be a determining factor in their results.
Three questions can help us assess our mindset in this area of desire as we lead:
What are we willing to sacrifice?
In what we lead we must have an appropriate amount of drive to accomplish the goal. Anything worth having is worth working for and will be an uphill climb. We will have to give up certain things in order to achieve our vision. What do you need to let go of that is holding you back?
Is the vision worth the sacrifice?
Once we have assessed what we will have to sacrifice we must be certain the vision is worth the sacrifice. If the vision is to be rich in money at the sacrifice of those we love . . . let me suggest we think real hard about that vision. If the vision is something bigger than ourselves and our family is supportive even though it will require more time away we still must determine if that sacrifice is worth it.
Are we willing to go all in?
Assuming those we love are supportive and support the sacrifice we must look inside. Are we willing to cut off any source of retreat and burn the ships? If those we love support the vision and we are willing to go all in to win without compromising our integrity or loved ones we will be positioned to have success both at work and home.
This is just one idea . . . burning desire . . . that is discussed in the classic book Think and Grow Rich. As we align our leadership with our burning desire we will be set up for greater success.
If you want to learn five principles to help you think better and lead well then join retired Air Force Chief Master Sargeant Mike Lightner and myself Thursday night at 8 PM as we dive into these concepts. Effective leadership results in any area of life starts in our mind and that is where we want to help. Go here for the details. Lead Well.
© 2019 Wheeler Coaching, All Rights Reserved