Quiz: What Separates The Have’s From The Have Not’s In Business And Life
In 1974 a freelance copywriter named Martin Conroy wrote what is widely regarded as the most successful single piece of advertising in the history of the world.
It was a simple two-page letter called “Two Young Men” that was the control piece mailed to generate subscriptions to the Wall Street Journal for almost a quarter century.
In that time it was responsible for over $1 BILLION in sales (with a ‘B’).
The letter is about two men who went to the same college, had similar grades and were both personable fellows. They were very much alike, and both went on to work at the same company.
25 years later, one of the men was a manager of a small department within that company. The other man was the company’s president.
After telling this story, the letter then asks, “What made the difference in their lives?”
The letter goes on to make the case that the difference lies in what each person knows, and how they make use of that knowledge, then transitions into how WSJ is that fountain of knowledge.
It’s a great story that clearly resonates with a lot of people. And it sold WSJ subscriptions like crazy.
Certainly, it’s easy to agree with Conroy’s argument about knowledge and its application.
But there is something that happens even before the acquisition and application of knowledge.
And that ‘something’ is truly what separates the have’s from the have-not’s, the middle managers from the company presidents, the average fitness business owner from the six or seven figure fitness business owner.
This quiz is about that ‘something.’
More clues…
Socrates
Socrates was one of the world’s most influential thinkers and philosophers. He was Plato’s teacher back in the fifth century and the originator of what is now called the “Socratic method” of inquiry and critical thinking in pursuit of solutions and truth.
I took a philosophy class in college, scraping by with ‘C’. Held zero interest for me…then. Now I find it fascinating.
That may be because I don’t think of it as philosophy, but as thoughtfullness, inquisitiveness and introspection. What, and how we think about the world, our place in it, and ourselves.
As Socrates said, “an unexamined life is not worth living.”
The sad reality is that most people rarely take the time to think about WHO they are and WHY they are the way they are, do what they do, say what they say.
Instead they just react…salivating at the sound of the bell much like Pavlov’s dogs.
There are definitely times when thinking too much just gets in the way. It can actually interfere with performance, or stop you from even trying to perform.
But even that is worthy of thought, isn’t it? (You can really go deep with this stuff.)
OK, let’s get to my question for you…my little quiz.
And there is only one correct answer.
Let’s see if you can get it right. Everyone who does will be entered into a drawing to win a VERY valuable prize. I promise the winner will not be disappointed. And really, you win just by participating, because this gets you thinking analytically – and that’s a good thing.
Here’s the question…
All other things being equal (just like the two young men in Conroy’s letter), what is it that separates the “have’s” from the “have not’s”…
…at the most fundamental level?
It is truly the ultimate success secret.
Now, it’s not a character trait, like self-discipline, determination or perseverance, for example.
It’s not your values or your principles, although they play a role.
It could be considered a “behavior” – but it’s NOT something you physically do.
It occurs only in your mind.
So it’s NOT “action” – or “intelligent action” – or “informed action” – or “massive action.” All of which are often referred to as the ultimate success secret.
The answer I’m looking for…PRECEDES action.
It’s what happens before any action can occur.
That’s why I say it is what separates the have’s from the have-not’s at the most FUNDAMENTAL level.
The answer is just one word, and using either the noun or verb is acceptable.
OK, that’s enough clues. Go ahead and post your answer in the comments section below. Write as much or as little as you feel is necessary – but correct answers MUST include either the noun or verb form of the word. We’ll announce the winner, and the killer prize, early next week.
Noodle it through – unless it’s nose-on-your-face obvious to you already.
Have fun and good luck.
Eric
P.S. If you’re not sure of the answer, think this through BEFORE reading others’ comments – it’s a great mental exercise. Then, if you’re still not sure…you can cheat a bit 
work
Positivity.
Not quite it. Work and positivity are both important, but something has to occur BEFORE either of those can, and that something is the answer. Feel free to try again, guys. Thanks for playing.
Intent. They usually understand the impact of the action they are about to take, and have a mental roadmap. There’s a little bit of trust as well, trusting themselves to turn the thought into reality.
Thought.
We think ourselves into proper acting (until we act our way into proper thinking).
Thought precedes action (unless you’re Chuck Norris).
For me it is belief that you can have or achieve anything you truly desire and clearly imagine.
Heart ….the never ending expression of passion towards the direction of your desire, whatever that might be.
That is the unmeasurable and uncontainable, unknown that allows one to receive that which they are moving towards as a hot knife moves through butter
thought
All are good answers, but nobody’s hit the right answer yet.
What is it that focuses your thought or your intention one way or the other? What comes first?
Vision. A clear picture.
motivation
Nice, Daniel, but not it.
Remember…
“…at the most fundamental level”
The word I’m looking for is at the very foundation of our lives, and it’s something you do hundreds of times a day, every day.
But you do it in your head.
imagine. Imagination.
I would say: thought.
Desire.
Desire
Belief
Persistance
Desire/ Faith
Depending on how you define.
Conditioning. The Prez conditioned his mind that he is already or born to be the top dog. And then he makes his presence felt and be seen by his superiors.These helped in his rapid promotion
DECISION!
Thinking
a dream and a plan
Nothing can occur until you make a decision.
Next Question please?
The answer is “want”. You “want” before you develop the desire”. You “want” before you take action. You “want” often before you can believe you can achieve it.
Belief
Overcome any and all fears!
believe
Plan
Decision
How can one do anything without desire?
imagine,imagination.
Perception of the world: how you evaluate what happens to you, what you will do next, what is going on around you, the meaning of things in your life.
How you perceive the world changes everything. You do this 100 times a day. Evaluating every thing that happens to you, everything that has some effect on you. Usually, you do this to seek comfort and safety and avoid risk and danger.
If you perceive things in life from the default standpoint of seeking comfort and avoiding danger, it is easy to become limited in your creativity, resourcefulness and life experience.
If you perceive that the world is out to get you, the things you observe (with that perception) will tend to validate that point of view and the world will be out to get you.
If you perceive that things can change, be influenced, built up bit by bit, accomplished with determination and being creative, then you will see your experiences as opportunities to put that into action and most likely find the way to do so.
I think this is one of the hardest things for some people to really believe deep down inside of themselves. If you can internalize this idea, that how you perceive the world has a direct effect on how successful and happy you can be, then you’re off to the races.
faith without work is dead you got to do the work.
faith without is dead you got to do the work.
faith without work is dead you have got to do the work.
Belief
“I CAN”
I feel,think & believe it is I CAN…
Which could also be viewed as ones believe.
We decide!
Plan.
Decide, make a decision.
Mindset
Posted my first answer before reading the comments. After looking back up I see you said it’s something you do ‘hundreds of times a day, every day’.
And
‘Focuses your thought or intention one way or the other’
Decision
Presence
mindset!
thinking
Imagine.
goals.
or more generally, planning.
Dream!!!!
One must have a dream!
Visualization
OK, so far there are 3 people with the right answer. If you read my additional clues in the comments I’ve made (as did at least one of the folks with the correct answer) you should hit it too.
Remember to think…don’t just react.
What is it that shapes our destiny?
Desire.
What you BELIEVE determines your thoughts and your actions!
Want.
I want it so I will make it happen. (verb) I am a person of many wants and needs so I will make it happen. (noun)
Responsibility…..as the great marketing genius himself,Dan Kennedy, has written:
Accept all the responsibility for your success or failure, your errors and your achievements, and because you do, you retain control.
Imagine
For me it comes down to desiring something, a place a thing, a feeling, a “time in my life” where I want to be…
Before I can desire it I first i have to see my myself getting there by imagining it. That will light the fire.
thought
Ok, you don’t have to hit me over the head!
decide to suceed.
Decision
decide and plan
I think it’s belief.
You have to believe in something or in yourself before you can make the decision to act.
I’m going with our “decisions” !
Action
It is decision. We literally make thousands of them each day. Some big and some small, but decisions nonetheless. We do not make a single move or take a single action without first making a decision of some sort.
Decisive.
Taking action based on what you know about the world and what you know about yourself will only help you gain experience and therefore progress.
DECIDE
Decide/Decision
Decisions shape our destiny.
Mindset
Faith/belief/trust/confidence
Faith is the substance of things hoped, things not yet seen. This must proceed before action, Action/behavior must spring from faith to be truly effective.
Decide. The “Have’s” decide to have more! We decide to dream, decide to imagine, decide to believe, decide to learn, act and implement, decide to follow up, decide to develop our self discipline, abilities, and strategies.
Thinking
To BELIEVE
Decide
Inspiraton
FEAR
Decision
KNOWLEDGE!
Believe. ( what a man can concieve a man can achieve) or ( If you think you can or you think you cant your rite) Napolian Hill
belief
A VISION. If you don’t know what you want to get out of the business before you start your destined for failure.
Desire
thinking/thoughts
Commitment.
Untill one commits, there is no worthwhile action.
want
It appears that the answer you are looking for is Desire. However, I would offer that what precedes desire is Sensation (note: not Awareness, which comes later). We sense loneliness then desire and ultimately decide to seek company, sense hunger and desire and seek sustenance…
Perhaps Sensation is too autonomic a function for what you are getting at, but I would argue that deliberate autogenous sensory expansion is an essential element in virtually all forms of personal/professional mastery.
Alright, I’ll buy that…Its to decide
I posted it first. I win. =P
A goal
desire
Decide / decision to action.
A little riddle to illustrate the point that a client once shared with me:
3 frogs are sitting on a log doing things that frogs do (eat flies, soak up some rays, etc). One of them grows weary of sitting and waiting and decides to jump off the log. How many frogs are left on the log?
(I’ll share the answer this afternoon)
Nice riddle, Paul. I like it. And since I can’t resist these things, I’m going to suggest the answer is: 3 frogs left on the log (because just deciding isn’t doing – however it is the all-important precursor)
Desire
Belief
Decision
Decision = cutting off all other possibilities. Allows you to focus on one thing only.
THOUGHTS create feelings, feelings create actions and actions create results.
Thoughts are the catalyst for everything!
Luka
I’ll add another – applied knowledge
Imagination
Belief
Belief … I you don’t believe in it you can’t achieve it.
DESIRE!
Imagination… After all, ALL that we EXPERIENCE in this life is merely a figment of our imagination isn’t it?
Isn’t it the faculty by which we “create?” Isn’t it the source of what we call “genius?” If It is imagination then it seems that the “source” of imagination comes from something far greater than the human mind can possibly perceive. The human mind is merely a receiving device for this infinte source. What we do with “our imagination” from there is a matter the WILL (not to be confused w/willpower)
Heck, if it wasn’t for “your imagination” Eric, how on earth would this absolutely brilliant blog post have manifested and already have about 100 comments. That’s the power of imagination when it comes in the form of an “idea,” “intuition,” etc, is recognized and a decision to act is made. Thanks for this wonderful post and thanks to all who’ve responded because if it wasn’t for all of your input I wouldn’t have been able to write this!
PS. If “my answer” is incorrect LOL!
GOAL SETTING
Back in 1953 I believe it was, Yale University did a study with its graduating seniors. Now only 3% of the class had taken action on all 7 of these steps that I am going to reveal to you. Twenty years later in 1973, a very interesting thing had occurred that 3% of the class who had identified and taken action on these 7 steps achieved more career wise and financially than the other 97% of the class combined.
Think about it again, how powerful that is. The 3% of the class who had identified and taken action on these 7 steps achieved more career wise and financially than the other 97% of the class.
So yes, that 3% had a higher net worth than the other 97% of the class combined, and don’t forget we are talking about Yale. We are not talking about Yale University vs graduates of some high school in a small town. These are all students of Yale. So obviously these things are extremely powerful when it comes to achieving the goals that you set for yourselves, or even setting them to begin with.
In one word: Attitude.
Attitude is everything. It’s your reaction to ‘what is’ that precedes action… HOW you’ll respond to a situation. Regardless of ‘what is’.
The only word that continuously kept coming to me was… DESIRE! The fire that ignites us from within.
Will
I believe that Napolean Hill would answer that, “Desire.” That’s my final answer…
Believe
have the idea.
After re-reading the comment, you do it in your head hundreds of times a day:
Visualize or visualization
A clear vision of where they want to go
foresight or more simply put….Want!
Answer to my riddle: (correcta-mundo Eric!) THREE! While the frog had come to the decision to jump, it had not taken the necessary ACTION to move from his starting point.
I know that I’ve found myself stuck on the “log” more than I’d like to admit lately so it’s my turn to decide to jump…and then DO IT!
desire after going through the additional clues
purpose
After taking some time to decide I believe it is…Decision!
decision
Desire. The desire to rise above whatever your present circumstances are and to improve your lot in life.
Man (as in mankind) is a “self actualising” being. Simply we’re put here to “be the best we can be.” It’s through that desire that all the other traits will manifest themselves.
Incidentally I’ve read that story about the two young men,it’s a brilliant piece of copy.
Vision,
You have to know where you want to go and that will direct all your actions.
we dream about the things we want and desire.
Imagine
Decision
imagine.
Desire
Belief/Believe… Wasn’t it Henry Ford who ilustrated the point via the quote “whether you think (believe) you can or think (believe) you can’t – either way, you’re right!” (?) Kids are a beautiful/untainted example early in life, until various exposures to such phrases like “get real”, “stop dreaming”, etc. etc. oftentimes crush the power of belief right out of them (us)!
Decision…the decisions you make, shape your future!
I think the answer is Drive,focus and desire and a detailed action plan.
Life is all about making choices, or better, the right choices. You make choices hundreds of times every day; Small ones and big ones to do or not do something.
The choices you make ultimately shape your destiny.
You always have (to make) a choice.
Intuition.
So now I’ve read and re-read Eric’s comments and everyone else’s, done a little bit of searching on the internet and just read the August Fitness Marketing Newsletter.
The clues that I’ve been running over in my head are
1. It happens before the action
2. It is a noun or a verb
3. You do it hundreds of times a day…but in your head
4. It separates the have’s from the have-not’s at the most FUNDAMENTAL level
5. The answer is just one word.
It’s not work, positivity, action, intent, thought, belief, desire, heart or vision (based on Eric’s comments).
My one word answer is : want as in :
verb: I want success
noun: My want is to succeed
We want on a fundamental level, it is what drives us to do anything and everything. If I want something, I may develop a belief that I need it. I may not believe that I need it, but it’s the wanting that will cause the thinking about it and will force the decision of whether or not to set it as a goal, make plans and take action.
Right or wrong, I can’t wait to see the answer. It’s been fun to turn this over in my head and read everyone’s answers:)
Wisdom, that provides the knowledge succeed.
Desire – and the depth and strength of one’s desire often determines how much they will have, and how quickly they will get it.
Want. If anything precedes action or even the thought of action. It must be associated with a basic fundamental human “NEED”. And that is want. A baby doesn’t “think” about food, nor is it passionate about food. It cries because it is satisfying a need. It WANTS food. The baby that cries and works harder to get that food (or the baby animal that fights towards the nipple) will ultimately succeed. The other will either starve, be unsuccessful, or end up dead. Simple but raw and proven over time.
My 2 cents.
Belton
Decision
BE
decide
Attitude!
Given the same set of circumstances, it’s how one REACTS to the situation.
It’s like the ant thinking he can move the rubber tree plant! — Hope as well, or belief.
Vision or Visualization
Now, isn’t this fun!?! Getting those synapses firing is GOOD. Some outstanding thinking going on here. I love it.
Decide
Thought, which begins first within the subconscious mind. With this mind set and thinking you can manifest a substance of believe. Truly believing this produces a form that can literally create your own path and universe to success.
Thought, which begins first within the subconscious mind. With this mind set and thinking you can manifest a substance of belief. Truly believing this produces a form that can literally create your own path and universe to success.
Imagine.
Intention
All of life is a DECISION. You must decide that you want to act. Love is a decision. Once the decision in your mind is made then you follow it. At the core of who you are you must trust yourself, if you do the the decision you make is the one to follow.
Desire!
Definitely DECISION!
Contentment… (Whether or not you are happy with where you are in life. Everyone wants to achieve more)
Decision…Deciding on what to do and what is it going to take to get to that next level of achievement.
I would say caring. I have to care to want to take action, I have to care about my beliefs, I have to care enough about my business to become successful, I have to care about the people I work with and whom I want to serve through my day.
Determination
Vision and conviction in your vision!
Thoughts.
Belief!
Imagine!!
Desire … nothing precedes it! …”a man with no desire posesses nothing” Which is great if you’re a monk!!!
FAITH
or perhaps a more focused form of want…Direction.
The noun: thought
The verb: think
Be transformed by the renewing of your mind… How? By changing the way your think, by changing your thoughts.
Our thoughts shape our reality – what we ultimately experience in life. When we become a good steward of our thought life we, in a very real sense, become the prophet of our own lives.
Thought precedes everything including desire, want, faith, hope etc.
Your riddle Eric is an exercise in this very idea. You wanted us to think because until we think about any particular subject we have no chance of coming up with the answer, which I believe was the answer. I think, therefore I am.
One more thought! Marketing is really nothing more than an attempt to influence an individuals thought process.
Suspects become prospects when they think about what we have to offer and decide based on our marketing message that we might be able help them solve their problem – even if they didn’t recognize the problem before they viewed our marketing.
Our marketing should cause them to think about what we offer and how what we offer could effect their lives – from thought desire, want, hope, faith are birthed.
If we can influence what they think about, we can play a role in directing their action. Look at what this riddle contest has done to me. It’s 1:30 in the morning and I’m still up thinking about it and writing about.
That’s pretty good marketing Eric!
I thought of one word while reading your blog post….. EDUCATION, before we take action we must Seek to EDUCATE ourselves the right way.
I’m debating between desire/want or belief/faith…my final answer is “believe”.
Desire
Just read Think and Grow Rich, so i’ll say Desire
Intention (the Secret)
DESIRE!
It is your passion and desire that seperates them both
Belief!
To choose or make a decision
It’s definitely Decisions/Decide.
We are presented with choices at every moment of the day and how we go forward from that point of deciding which choice to accept shapes our lives.
Decision. We first decide then plan then act.
But seriously Eric great idea running this little topic/quiz you attracted a lot of cool people with a lot of cool answers
You can skip the plan and just act on your decision or actually let’s go back one more step and say first you must get clear what you WANT. Then make a decision which cuts of all other options to ensure you chase down that want. Plan or simply take action on that decision. Sometimes I feel it’s better to skip the plan part temporarily and as the ad says “just do it !” . So Eric I WANT that prize I’ve decided I’m going to get it. My plan is to track you down. And my actions will be based on how cooperative you are in handing it over:)
Peace my friend with kindest regards
Tom
imagine
Fervent desire!
DESIRE
Commitment
A BELIEF
Decision,
You must decide to be a HAVE vs a HAVE NOT
Desire!!!!!!!!!!!!
Goals , because all the intentions and heart don’t matter until you comit to your goals and work to make them reality.
belief / believe: You can DECIDE to do or have something, but if you don’t truly BELIEVE, it will not come to pass. Your ACTIONS can appear in line with what you say you WANT, but again, if you do not truly BELIEVE, you will not get what you want. Desire and want could be grouped together, therefore, the same stands true – without BELIEF, NO AMOUNT of action, decision, desire, want, will get you to your goals! In 3 words from Mike Dooley – ‘Thoughts become things’
belief or faith. You have to believe its possible in order for it to be possible.
“Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” Hebrews 11:1.
Our beliefs are the biggest limiting factor in everything we do.
And its because I believe & have faith that I know that this ex-chemist will be one of your highest achievers as a studio owner!! Thanks for everything!!
Yes! This is fun Eric.
Decision clearly indicates choice. Choice indicates thinking, thought processing – even if it is instinctual(considering your options no matter how few nanoseconds it takes-)
so, thinking instead of reacting – but true, it could get in the way of performance as well. There are some things you just do not want to think about too long – may even be some high risk in doing so- but, think, decide, act.
What separates the haves from the have not’s are the decisions we make.
I guess I should also add ‘think / thoughts’
Here’s one worth writing on your goal board. It’s not exactly a clue, but it’s absolutely related to the discussion. The author is unknown.
“We are all self-made. But only the successful will admit it.”
You need to think your way through a problem to come up with a plan in order to leverage your actions as much as possible.
Imagine / Imagination
Desire!
Thought
What Separates The Have’s From The Have Not’s In Business And Life?
Ans: It is critical thinking that seperates us. When we think critically we realize how every moment in life is a critical/life changing moment. So to always think critical is to advantage your position in life to have it work for you and/or your reason(s) for being; critically speaking that is!
Desire
Is it a Positive Attitude!
To keep a Positive attitude no matter what / try not to think negative thoughts even when times get tough
to think and make a decision
research, reflection and analysis to produce informed choices
could be goals, and faith….?
It’s definently “Believe”
Attitude
Want. You want before you desire. You want before you form visions. You want before you act. You want before you set the goals for the want. You want before you make decisions on what you want. You want before you dream about the want. etc., etc., etc.
reflection / thought
Attitude …… Yes we have another winner !!!!
Attitude…. Yes, we have another winner !!
Decide/Decision
You must decide.
must be dedication, didcipline, and constiantancy
Believe it, Recieve it, and Achieve it! Belief in the things unforseen, in yourself, and knowing who you are.
Imagina
Nothing separates them. They are one on the same. In order to have, you have to have not. Seperation is an illusion, just when you think you have more than enough it flys away. Make sure you love what you do! Cause have/have not are one in the same.
Make that “Imagine.”
(I need typing tutor!)
DECISION OR PERHAPS WANT I CANT DECIDE? IF I WANT TO MAKE A DECISION OR IF I CAN DECIDE WHAT I WANT ?
IM GOING TO SAY FIRST YOU MUST GET CLEAR WHAT YOU WANT,THEN DECIDE THEN MAKE A PLAN THEN TAKE ACTION. SUCH AS I WANT YOUR PRIZE ERIC.
THEN I MAKE A DECISION THAT CUTS OF ANY OTHER POSSIBLITY THAT IM GOING TO GET THAT PRIZE. THEN I PLAN TO TRACK YOU DOWN THEN THE ACTION I TAKE DEPENDS ON YOUR WILLINGNESS TO HAND OVER THE PRIZE !!
KIDDING OF COURSE
COOL IDEA ERIC THIS IS WHAT SEPERATES YOU 
PS GIMME THE PRIZE
Decide
a dream
Belief/Perception… not that you can really separate the two. One preceeds and then creates the other in a fairly dependant manner.
We imagine all of our thoughts, our dreams, our desires. “Imagination is the work of the mind that helps create”.
Desire……
Belief
belief
Imagination.
I believe the answer is planning.
Imagination and determination
Belief in your dreams!
Desire.
The answer is thought or to think.
Action
Act.
Having thoughts, great positive attitude, dreams, goals, believe,desire and so on does separete have’s from have nots, but all that is nothing without acting up on it.
OK. If it is something we do every day all day in our head , than maybe the word is “Thought” or “Think”
Know thyself…and to thine own self be true. (another little clue)
Good stuff gang, keep it coming. We’re going to leave this contest open a little while longer (I’ll be announcing the prize shortly). Then I’ll do a new blog post with the answer, and announce the winner.
So if you haven’t commented yet and thrown your name into the hat to win the BIG prize, there’s still time…
Having a vision!
PLAN
Desire.
Hi Eric, excellent job with this my friend. You certainly got my attention and that of your other readers by the looks at the number of comments. There’s a marketing lesson in that if anybody’s paying attention.
Anybody’s here’s my answers….in the form of a verb
Jack would “visualize” the outcome before action…
In the form of a noun
Jack would use “visualization” before proceeding with taking action….
Have a good one….Shane
Shane, you are correct sir! At least with the part about there being a marketing lesson here…
I think this post might hold our new record for number of comments, so folks are engaged. That’s good for lots of reasons, one being that this is about as important a concept as there is when it comes to achieving our goals, and living life by design rather than default.
An interesting point regarding the marketing lesson…I have yet to describe the prize, so everyone’s going on faith. That is strong kung fu, as my older brother Mike would say. And it speaks to the trust we have here in this community. I really appreciate that, and look forward to awarding this (soon to be described) killer prize.
Thanks for being a part of the conversation, Shane. It’s always great to hear from old friends.
The more I think about this, the more I believe it is “imagination.” Or, “Imagine”.
Here’s why:
Inside each of us is a “self-image”.
The self-image is a subconscious “inner self” constructed from ideas we’ve accepted as “true” about ourselves throughout our lives. Particularly ideas implanted during our formative years.
Knowingly or not, our behaviors, decisions, and subsequent beliefs, flow from this self-image.
The self-image may consist of pictures built from self-generated images, or externally imposed concepts like: “I am short” or “tall”, “wise” or “dumb”, “fast” or “slow”, “creative” or “stuck”, “teachable” or “learning challenged”, “destined for riches” or “destined for poverty”…
So, for example, if we are born into a poverty-stricken family, and accept – through constant imagery, social pressure, or familial indoctrination – that our “place” in life is poverty, then we may develop a self-image of a poor person.
And the self-image is so strong; we rarely sustain activities inconsistent with the self-image.
So if our self-image is “poverty” we will likely never even fathom the possibility of being wealthy. Or we may try for it, only to give up when we behave inconsistently with our deep self-image. And the failure that ensues reinforces the poverty image.
Another example:
If the self-image is one of “ugly”, “unworthy” and “unlovable”, it will be very difficult to seek or accept love. Or success. Or earned power.
But with imagination, we can mold our self-image to any shape, pattern, or image we choose.
The pattern looks like this:
With a newly minted self-image, forged via imagination, we instill belief. >> With the self-image reinforcing belief, we can create a goal. >>We can then learn new skills to reach for the goal. >>With new skills, we can take integrated action. >> And since our actions are now consistent with the new self image, we can achieve without internal resistance. >> And the achievement reinforces the self-image in a never-ending upward spiral of earned self-power.
We become the sole cause of the effect we wish to achieve…via the power of imagination.
A plan
Ha ha! My brother would always say that! “Your Kung Fu is strong grasshopper but mine is Stronger…! Muahahaha” And he would mouth it like they do in the movies! I completely forgot about that. Thanks Eric.
ATTITUDE sometimes also known as INTENTION
Nice Willie. And I know exactly what you mean…voice track and mouth movement not quite in sync…classic!
Belief
Hi, All,
Took a look this morning and I think my earlier post was a bit long. Sorry about that. Didn’t mean to hog the blog.
No worries, Daniel. You are adding value by sharing your thoughts. And this is stuff worth really thinking about. Thanks for participating.
Desire!!
Decision.
Plan
Belief
Imagine/Imagination. Thank you Mr. Ruth, I will see you in October
DESIRE.
ENERGY!!!! ENERGY!!! ENERGY!!!! This is your ticket above all else to become SUCCESSFUL!!!
Decision/Decide
This is so clear. You have to make a decision. You have to see the big picture. A specific picture of your dream. You have to believe in yourself. But before everything else you must make the DECISION to be great. You make hundreds or thousands of decisions a day, but no decision is as important as the decision to take control of your destiny.
You have to make a “decision” to do something before you can actually do it!
You’ve got to WANT it!
And you have to KNOW WHAT YOU WANT
FOCUS..you need motivation, a plan, desire, a vision, you have to take action, but if you’re not FOCUSED…meaning, just do one thing, see it through completion, do another, see it through and another, see it through and the rest will follow.
Attitude first and the decision to do it. Attitude is everything! You can choose or decide the way you respond to everything in your life!
Desire. Everything we do first requires a desire to do so.
A vision bigger than any obstacle .. (on-purpose!)
Passion!!! to be the best all the time!
Desire
Decide.
You are what you create in your mind.
OK. Still playing. I think it comes down to the choices we make. Choice determines the actions we take and the results we get. Virtually in every area of our lives. I even choose what to think.
The little daily ordinary choices to the giant life changing major direction decisions, choices. Choice precedes, & determines our actions. Life by design.
responsibility and accountabliity
Conviction and/or passion. very similar principles.
Will, willingness
Decide / decision
decide what you want — it defines who you are ; who you are meant to be — your purpose in life
I believe the answer is want, which could also be desire. When we are hungry, we want food to satisfy us. That is our most basic need/emotion. The socratic part of the equation would come in with knowing why or what motivates our want. My answer then is want
DESIRE………….
Blueprint,detailed plan.Before taking any action you need to know where are you going.
Imagination/imagining . . . that’s where it all starts
I submitted an answer on Friday and ALL weekend I kept thinking about it! My original answer was DESIRE. which I believe is a good answer BUT I want to change it to……..
INITIATIVE!!!
We can all have the desire, education, belief and attitude to do great things but if we do not have the initiative to do them. The NEVER get done!
The definition of initiative is the ability to begin and follow through with a task.
I have to say a plan????
Perception!!!
Some people deem an unfortunate situation as a failure while others see it as an opportunity…..
I AM, I HAVE, My true nature is Abundance. If I consider every one of my beliefs as a wish and every one of my thoughts as a prayer, I have always received every-thing I have asked for. If my most dominant belief is that I HAVE rather than i have not, and my most dominant thoughts are of Gratitude rather than of wanting, I will express that as my external reality. Wanting is a statement to the Universe that i have not, Gratitude is a statement that I HAVE. The Universe will oblige me either way.
Before you can act, you must make a DECISION!
Hi Eric
I believe the answer is DECISION. Nothing can occur until you have made a decision to do it.
Thanks!
Introspection!!!/Introspect
BELIEVE
Decision. We decide, whether we are aware of it or not, to do or not do, choose or not choose whatever happens to us. Life is not really an accident or surprise…for the most part. I am where I am today due to the choices I have made along the way. Good, bad or indifferent, it is what it is. We can blame others, our environment, our fears, but we ultimately choose the path we take. Until we take responsibility for our actions, and accept that, we simply can’t move on. And, even if I don’t want to admit it, when I find myself becoming indecisive, it’s only because I have chosen to be!! Ain’t that a kick in the pants!
Decide
Hi Eric,
Having a Vision as to what you want and then Determination to go and get it!
Hope I win =) I’m coming all the way from Canada!!!
I believe it boils down to purpose. If one is going to embark on a journey, a defined purpose must be in place. If you do not have a target you are aiming at nothing and will always end up at your destination of nowhere!
Self-control. You must have self-control for discipline, to put your desires to work, to truly believe and get the ball rolling. Self-control to keep from spending and always moving in the area of people management and the skill to turn the situation around for the better for the company.
Beleive in yourself. Know in your mind that you are going to be successful.
Belief.
We should believe that we can have what we want. In the quantum level we already have what we want. All we have to do is to experience in the reality what is already ours.
courage
b4 knowledge is applied u must have “Understanding”
Believing in something is first to occur before taking action.
Okay here is my final answer. I heard it this morning as I was watching one of my motivational speakers.
thinking/thoughts
as a man thinketh he becomes
our thoughts control our actions
If a man looks upon another woman with lust in his eyes he has already commited adultry in his mind.
First, my answer to your riddle is we must make a decision before we take actions. We make hundreds and hundreds of decisions or choices before we take any type of action. Successful people do what unsuccessful people are unwilling to do…they make that choice, they decide not to go the extra mile, they decide to not paint a vision for the future but successful people have a strong belief in themselves, they make decisions based on positive (at least they hope) outcomes and the vision they have painted for themselves and strive to achieve.
we take in information all day. that’s unavoidable in many ways, though we can seek info as well. then, we size up the data. if the info sticks to our values and goals, we have to imagine what we can do with it. how can we use it? reflect on what the information’s value is based on what we’ve imagined we can do with it. weigh the thing we’ve imagined–is it worth doing? does it really align with our goals and values? will it move us forward towards our goals? then we can decide whether or not to do it.
i’m not sure what one word you’re after though. in my mind, after we’ve received the info (researched or not) before we decide to act, we reflect and consider and analyze. we do that just trying to walk safely across an intersection or lift a heavy weight. but that’s 3 words…:)
Visualization. Visualizing one’s success before it happens. Puts the minds neurotransmitters in positive mode.
Love and fear are the bare essentials, either to love something or fear it. you either decide to love or decide to fear! your answer is “Decision”
“DREAM”
Dreams are the most powerful energy
I believeis ATTITUDE
I have been in business my whole life. I believe Honesty and hard work is the key to sucess. I have seen so many who have lied and tried to be something they are not nor never will be.. Then when the lies catch up to them they can’t make the rent payments and get thrown out into the street and taking others money for memberships with no intention of ever refunding anyone. That is what not being Honest and living in a fantasy world does.