A few years ago a man in his mid thirties was promoted to become the CEO of a major international company. As is often the case there was some business type media people that were interested to do a profile on him so he agreed to be interviewed by a large magazine. The writer came in to the office for the interview wanting to learn about this successful business man and what got him there. He asked him about his family. The CEO mentioned that his father had passed away and his mother lived in Florida while his only sibling, his twin brother was in jail for drugs and for beating his wife. The interviewer became very intrigued about these twin brothers, one so successful the other an addict and wife beater. He got permission to do an interview with the brother as well, thinking it would be an interesting addition to his story. He asked both brothers about their childhood. They both answered in quite some detail about a troubled childhood, their father was an alcoholic who was barely ever home and when he was he was always drunk and would beat up their mother and sometimes them as well. It was a shocking story but it was the next question that shocked the interviewer most. He asked both brothers, one a convicted felon, the other a hugely successful business man, "what do you think has gotten you to where you are in life now" and they both gave exactly the same answer....." What would you expect, look at my father"
I wish i remembered where i first read that story and partially wish i remember if it was true or not, but either way what a powerful message. It led me on a personal journey learning of self awareness and the power that it can carry but unfortunately it has a twin brother as well...the victim mentality.
"The best way to predict your future is to create it!"
-Abraham Lincoln
Are you the master of your own life, the architect of your future? Or are you just living your life feeling the victim to anything that does not seem to go your way?
I challenge you to create a vision for your future and an action plan to bring that vision to life.
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