Do Any of These 55 IF’s Sound Familiar?
I don’t know about you, but I believe in the law of attraction.
I was on my way back from Phoenix yesterday and wanted to write you a killer blog post. My plan was to knock one out in the plane.
Typically I can come up with killer blog posts pretty easily, but I was having some kind of writers block this time around. I opened up my mac book and I had nothing.
Maybe it’s because I gave so much at the 25K group mastermind meeting this weekend or maybe it’s because I was just REALLY exhausted from the weekend in general… but I had nothing to write.
So instead, I popped in my ear buds and started listening to random tracks on my ipod and that’s when it happened….
…the second track that played was from Napoleon Hill’s “think and grow rich” and the track was entitled “FIFTY-FIVE” FAMOUS ALIBIS FROM OLD MAN “IF.”
Think and Grow Rich is one of those book where each time I read it (or in this case listen to it) I pick up something new and profound.
And as soon as I heard it, I know I had to share it with you.
Here it is… enjoy.
“FIFTY-FIVE” FAMOUS ALIBIS FROM OLD MAN “IF.” By Napoleon Hill, Think and Grow Rich.
People who do not succeed have one distinguishing trait in common. They know all the reasons for failure, and have what they believe to be air-tight alibis to explain away their own lack of achievement.
A character analyst compiled a list of the most commonly used alibis. As you read the list, examine yourself carefully, and determine how many of these alibis, if any, are your own property. Remember, too, the philosophy presented in this book makes every one of these alibis obsolete.
IF I didn’t have a wife and family . . .
IF I had enough “pull” . . .
IF I had money . . .
IF I had a good education . . .
IF I could get a job . . .
IF I had good health . . .
IF I only had time . . .
IF times were better . . .
IF other people understood me . . .
IF conditions around me were only different . . .
IF I could live my life over again . . .
IF I did not fear what “THEY” would say . . .
IF I had been given a chance . . .
IF I now had a chance . . .
IF other people didn’t “have it in for me” . . .
IF nothing happens to stop me . . .
IF I were only younger . . .
IF I could only do what I want . . .
IF I had been born rich . . .
IF I could meet “the right people” . . .
IF I had the talent that some people have . . .
IF I dared assert myself . . .
IF I only had embraced past opportunities . . .
IF people didn’t get on my nerves . . .
IF I didn’t have to keep house and look after the children. . .
IF I could save some money . . .
IF the boss only appreciated me . . .
IF I only had somebody to help me . . .
IF my family understood me . . .
IF I lived in a big city . . .
IF I could just get started . . .
IF I were only FREE . . .
IF I had the personality of some people . . .
IF I were not so fat . . .
IF my talents were known . . .
IF I could just get a “break” . . .
IF I could only get out of debt . . .
IF I hadn’t failed . . .
IF I only knew how . . .
IF everybody didn’t oppose me . . .
IF I didn’t have so many worries . . .
IF I could marry the right person . . .
IF people weren’t so dumb . . .
IF my family were not so extravagant . . .
IF I were sure of myself . . .
IF luck were not against me . . .
IF I had not been born under the wrong star . . .
IF it were not true that “what is to be will be” . . .
IF I did not have to work so hard . . .
IF I hadn’t lost my money . . .
IF I lived in a different neighborhood . . .
IF I didn’t have a “past” . . .
IF I only had a business of my own . . .
IF other people would only listen to me . . .
IF * * * and this is the greatest of them all * * * I had the courage to see myself as I really am, I would find out what is wrong with me, and correct it, then I might have a chance to profit by my mistakes and learn something from the experience of others, for I know that there is something WRONG with me, or I would now be where I WOULD HAVE BEEN IF I had spent more time analyzing my weaknesses, and less time building alibis to cover them.
That’s what I wanted to share with you. I hope you got as much from it as I did.
And if you’ve never read “Think and Grow Rich, or you haven’t read it for a while I REALLY suggest that you pick up a copy of this book and read it.
I’d like to know what you think. Leave me a comment in the box below.
Comments on Do Any of These 55 IF’s Sound Familiar? »
Bedros…
DUDE… WoW REALLY??
We were totally on the same wavelength today… no dramas I’ll go back to the drawing board
Here’s something that was to be shared regardless and funnily enough it is titled… IF
If - Ruyard Kipling
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build ‘em up with wornout tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on”;
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run -
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And - which is more - you’ll be a Man my son!
Now… back to an empty screen
AT
Jared Newport @ 1:18 am
Hi Bedros,
Thanks for the article I loved it! I have read Think and Grow Rich and am exactly the same as you, every time I pick it up or listen to it on my ipod something new sticks out to me!
Germaine Beuviere @ 3:01 am
I liked this. It’s like setting yourself up or even planning for failure. Should check out http://www.toolstolife.com. There’s some really cool stuff for success, too. If you thin you’ll fail, then you will. If you think you’ll be successful, then you will be.
Adi C. @ 3:30 am
Wow! I’m guilty of more than a few “IF”s. Gonna buy this book today!I have learned a great deal about the fitness business and life by reading your blogs. Poewrful stuff, keep em comin Bedros!
Thanks
you are very right Bedros, thank God for someone like you out there ive outgrown some of those mistake and im picking up right away the napoleon book thanks once again.
Thanks, Bedros. Great reminders, especially the last one.
- Dr. George
If is a cop out. You make your destiny so start taking action. Great reminder, thanks
Aussie Mick @ 4:07 am
Bedros, here’s an ‘IF’ i think you wouldn’t mind…
‘IF’ I hadn’t stumbled across your facebook ad some few months ago I would never had realised my dream of financial security by putting into place all the lessons I have learned from you.
‘IF’ I hadn’t have followed your blog I’d never have stumbled across Steve Hochman and combined both of your ideas to blow my business to over 6 figures in just over 60 days.
‘IF’ I hadn’t all of the above, I wouldn’t be about to open 7 FBBC venues here in Australia in 4 weeks time and be on course to turnover $1,000,000 within 6 months.
Wow glad I listened to those “IF’s”
Thank you Bedros.
‘Aussie Mick’
loren @ 4:13 am
Good reminders, been awhile, might as well pick it up again, and dust it off!!
Debbie @ 4:19 am
Thank you for this post Bedros. It has me thinking.
Good ole Napolean! Thanks!
Here’s a cool Napolean Hill link:
http://www.naphill.org/points/scrolls/scroll13.asp
Sign up for the free newsletter… it goes out like every 2 weeks and it’s all old school stuff that never gets old.. .I got into Napolean Hill by reading Jeffrey Gitomer’s stuff on Selling…
Excited for the upcoming year!
JJ Robertson
Bryan Chan @ 5:18 am
Great post Bedros!
I can see a few of my own alibis in there, for me its:
If only times were different
If only people had money to buy my services (I made that one up myself)
I used to keel under those< I had it my entire life….until now, I will not let others defeat me.
Ill go for the car head light approach used from the Secret.
Just keep doing what I can and trust the next step will unfold for me, and so far it has
keep on rocking!
Bryan Chan
Dom @ 6:29 am
Totally agree Bedros! Think and Grow Rich is a fantastic book.
Here’s another book I’ve almost finished reading that really blew me away - “Sam Walton - Made in America”. It’s the autobiog of the founder of Walmart, and now he’s one of the richest people on the planet.
His two key messages are:
1- put the customer first and constantly dream up ways of improving every customer experience.
2- always learn from the best of your competition and watch them like a hawk, then adapt their best ideas to your business and improve on them.
Steph Pool @ 8:38 am
Thanks Bedros! I love # 55, and the picture next to it.
Min Quinn @ 8:39 am
How true-I can relate myself to many of those “Ifs.” I’ll definitely get this book, thanks Bedros for your help!
~Min
Aussie Mick, I love how you think man! Total warrior mindset… you just go out and do it!
B
AT, that’s crazy! Great minds think alike I guess
B
Love it Bedros. Make your own luck and be accountable, no excuses now or in 2010!
Amen Shawna!
B
Robin Lopez @ 7:50 pm
Bedros,
man, this stuff just keeps getting better. I’m on a mission, thanks to you! I’m reading everything I can get my hands on, that book is next. Thank you, Robin
Katie Jo @ 4:36 am
the motivation you give is astounding. i sat down and started making a list of all of my “if’s” … and i’m going to cross them off one by one.
you’ve been the first one to motivate myself to get out of my comfort zone(s) and i look forward to more of this in the future. keep it up, B.
kt
Scott Williams @ 4:42 am
Bedros,
awesome book, i just pulled it out last week to take on Holiday’s with me.
Aussie Mick you rock mate…
Aussie Scottie
Josh Henri @ 8:56 am
Hey Bedros,
awesome man, its posts like that, that can make you aware of how your feeling. Its funny how “you” can be your worst enemy sometimes. I have to say I have been guilty of saying a couple of those “IFs”. Thanks for putting in the front of the brain to ecknowledge and then discard. You rock buddy!
Keep it going.
Josh Henri
Solid Ground Personal Training
Gresham, OR
Servando Dominguez @ 12:50 pm
We only get one chance everyday, to experience it.
Primeau Productions @ 1:07 pm
Thats a really inspirational and constructive post! I wanted to let you know if you and your readers are interested in Napoleon Hill’s timeless wisdom, you can find a ton of really awesome restored 16mm footage of him speaking on our YouTube channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/PrimeauProductions
Check it out! Thanks for the great post!
-Primeau Productions
Kiwi Katy @ 4:02 pm
Hey Bedros,
Great Blog. Those IF’s are all a thing of my past now. 2 days left of my ‘previous life’ office job, then off to follow all your advice, and ROCK my new business!
Aussie Mick - great to meet you at Tingalpa this morning! here’s to FBBC Australia!
Best Wishes Everybody, and Have a great Christmas
Kiwi Katy (Living in Sunny Australia!)
WiL @ 11:13 pm
Hey Mr.Keuilian,
I finally got my hands on your “how to close 9 out of 10 clients” and like a kid at christmas I can’t wait to get out there and starting playing with it……..
Your blog was a good read and a good reminder for me as well to take responsiblility for my failures and success and stop blaming or depending on others……
Sending out some positive love out your way brother and keep them awesome blogs coming…
WiL
Sara Hutniak @ 6:25 am
Awesome post Bedros. I haven’t read or listened to Napoleon Hill in a while…and because of that I know I’ve been making some of those “if” statements of late. If I had more money and if I was better connected have been some of my faves.
And kudos to Adam Toohey - “If” by Rudyard Kipling is my favorite poem that I made a point of memorizing many years ago so I can recite it whenever I need that little boost.
Have a great day!
-Sara
Hey Katy that is so awesome! Fire your job and get out there and kill it!
B
Thanks Bedros! I think we’d all be better off “IF” we removed “IF” from our language all together! Create the life you desire…circumstances only affect you “IF” you allow them to.