“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms, to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances.”
–Viktor Frankl, Holocaust Survivor, Author of Man’s Search for Meaning
Let that sink in for a second.
Viktor Frankl, a man imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp, stripped of everything… his home, family, career, his very dignity.
While giong through this he came to one profound realization:
They could take everything… except his power to choose his response to his circumstance.
WOW! That is powerful.
And I believe that power is one of life’s greatest gifts.
This is a freedom you and I both have as well.
I’m incredibly grateful for this.
Check out this short video I recorded, sharing some gratitude and thoughts I’ve been having.
Watch the video here:
What I’m Grateful For Today
Beyond my amazing wife Sheri, my three beautiful kids, and my faith, I’m deeply grateful for this:
The ability to choose what goes into my mind.
See, we don’t always get to choose our circumstances. Sometimes life throws us curveballs.
Sometimes we lose a business. Sometimes a car gets repossessed. Sometimes a house gets foreclosed on.
Trust me, I’ve been there.
But even in the worst of times, the thoughts we choose to think determine how we experience life.
Fifteen years ago, I was handed a book from a sweet woman named Esther Morecroft.
I read something in that book that forever changed my mental game.
It’s what the author called “The self-confidence formula”, five short paragraphs that he challenged to memorize.
I took that challenge and made it my own.
I now call it “The Big Five.”
I call it this because it’s the most valuable 5 paragraphs in any book I’ve ever read outside of scriptures.
I still rehearse this in my mind regularly to this day.
THE BIG FIVE: The Self-Confidence Formula
First, I know that I have the ability to achieve the object of my definite purpose in life. Therefore, I demand of myself persistent, continuous action toward its attainment.
Second, I realize that the dominating thoughts of my mind will eventually reproduce themselves in outward, physical action. Therefore, I will concentrate my thoughts for 30 minutes daily upon the task of thinking of the person I intend to become, thereby creating a clear mental picture of that person.
Third, I know through the principle of auto-suggestion, any desire I persistently hold in my mind will eventually seek expression through some practical means of attaining the object back of it. Therefore, I will demand of myself the development of self-confidence.
Fourth, I have clearly written down a description of my definite chief aim in life, and I will never stop trying until I’ve developed sufficient self-confidence for its attainment.
Fifth, I fully realize that no wealth or position can long endure unless built upon truth and justice. I will succeed by attracting the cooperation of others. I will eliminate hatred, envy, jealousy, selfishness, and cynicism by developing love for all humanity. I will cause others to believe in me, because I will believe in them and in myself.
Why This Matters:
If you are an entrepreneur, or lead a team of any kind, then you know life comes at you fast.
And your mind? It can be your greatest asset or your biggest liability.
You can let the weeds of fear, uncertainty, and doubt creep in… or you can intentionally plant thoughts of purpose, possibility, and perseverance.
That’s why I challenge you right now:
Choose what goes into your mind.
Choose to feed yourself with thoughts that strengthen you.
Because this is the final freedom Viktor Frankl spoke of after being stripped of every other freedom in the concentration camp.
You can also choose your response to any adversity you’re facing. No one can take this freedom away from you.
If you haven’t already, watch this message I filmed for you here.
It’s unedited, real, and right in the moment. I didn’t prepare a script. I didn’t rehearse it.
You’ll even see me stumble in the video. I just hit record, because I felt a deep need to share this message with you.
You can watch it here: https://youtu.be/pjLN2T_1yyY?si=uEDgL–G6KX3S-Yn
Now it’s your turn. I’d love to hear from you…
What are you grateful for right now in your life? Don’t be shy, reply right here to this blog post.
I read every comment shared, and want to hear from you.
Make it a great day,
-Ben
