I once read the following quote in a magazine, and it really hit home with me: In all things, apply moderation - including moderation - Anon Lets take Mohammed Ali for example. As a young boxer, Ali often boldly voiced the affirmation: I am the greatest! wherever and whenever he fought. He was perpetually "talking himself up", employing various adjectives designed to emphasise his superiority over the opponent. What I found most impressive was the way he repeatedly predicted what he was going to do. For instance, prior to the fight in which he won the World title for the first time, the press (who dubbed him "The Louisville Lip" for his mouthiness) widely publicised his prediction which was made in the following exact words: "Yes I predict, and I know the score. I'll be Champ of the world in '64!". Mohammed Ali knew himself well and knew what he was capable of achieving. I once had the good fortune to re-watch - on TV - the fight Ali had with Joe Frazier, which he (Ali) lost. During the press conference after the fight, Frazier read out a speech in which he mentioned how Ali repeatedly said (grunting between words as Fraziers punches hit him) Dont - you - know - I - am - God?!! Frazier said he responded with something along the lines of "Well, 'God', looks like you're gonna get whupped tonight!", to which everyone laughed. Yes, it wasn't quite Mohammed's day that day, BUT can you imagine how someone could believe that much in himself to the point of comparing himself with God? I believe Napoleon Hill, asked to comment, would have said Ali had the essential mental attitude of "blind faith". Phrases like Float like a butterfly and sting like a bee were credited to this legendary boxer. One thing was clear - Ali was NOT shy. But neither was he arrogant. Cocksure probably, but not arrogant. AND he was definitely very far from being "over-humble". "The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt" - Bertrand Russel Ali knew how important it was to be bold and assertive, and all through his boxing career he was like that. That he became the legend he is today, is no doubt a testimony to the fact that "one becomes what s/he thinks". Know this: You will not get yourself any closer to achieving your magnificent obsession(your valued goal) if you do not boldly and assertively speak about it. It is not wrong to talk or speak affirmatively about what you intend to achieve. Maybe you might want to watch the kind of audience you have before you say some of it, but please do talk about it! That way you enlist others to help you stay focused on pursuing it. This is because by talking about it to others(who have empathy for your purpose), you put yourself under psychological pressure to achieve that which you've told them you intend to achieve. What then happens subsequently is that they will naturally ask you how far you've gone with your plans. You would of course want to be able to give them a positive progress update, or else risk losing "face", and not being taken seriously in future. That need to avoid appearing "unserious" would force you to remain committed to achieving your goals, sustaining you till you eventually succeed. "Excess on occasion is exhilarating. It prevents moderation from acquiring the deadening effect of a habit." - W. Somerset Maugham So, if you want to achieve notable success on a consistent basis, seriously consider being moderate in your humility. Your success might just depend on it. |
