My daughter, Brianna is planning to attend The University of South Carolina next year. Angie and I are really excited for her! So yesterday we went on a road trip with her to Columbia to let her show us around. What a beautiful campus! Anyway, as Brianna struggles to make her final decision on where she wants to attend, there's been a lot of discussion on which college would give her the best opportunity for success. I don't weigh in on those conversations. My feeling is it's not how smart you are or how educated you've been when it comes to being successful? Seriously! In fact, I was reading a blog recently on www.successsoul.com and ran across a blog that dealt with this issue. It started out with this quote:
"I'm ceaselessly amazed to witness the brightest people with the highest IQ's living mediocre lives at best while those with an IQ of 75 achieve things beyond our wildest imagination. The secret lies in these two words--Self Confidence!"
The blog then went on to prove the fallacy of IQ and education when it comes to human achievement by using examples from Forrest Gump. I loved the examples so much I thought I would share them with you. Here is how Forrest Gump achieved incredible feats with a mediocre IQ.
1. He never allowed his imagination to hold him hostage. "My momma always said that life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you are gonna get." Imagining the worst leads to self doubt. A better approach is visualizing our success and remaining committed to our goal even when we feel an overwhelming sense of defeat.
2.He never labeled the outcome. "When I had to go....you know....I went." Forrest Gump had the uncanny ability to do what he loved to do without analyzing the finest details of his action. His actions were dictated by his passion.
3. He claimed his confidence. "Now you wouldn't believe me if I told you, but I could run like the wind blows." If we don't believe in ourselves, who else will? Constantly undermining ourselves with negative self talk invariably becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Forrest knew how to run and wasn't ashamed to brag about it.
4. He did something for others. "Jenny taught me how to climb. And I taught her how to dangle." When we focus on others, we develop a more positive outlook on life which leads to tranquility.
5. He always gave his best effort. "Yes Drill Sergeant!" Most people don't achieve greatness not because they are less smart or less educated than those who achieve success--they simply give less than their best.
6. He maintained his integrity. "I gotta save Bubba." Integrity is to our self confidence what oxygen is to our survival.
7. He ran to lead. "My momma always said you can tell a lot about a person by their shoes, where they go, where they have been. I've worn lots of shoes, I bet If I think about it real hard I can remember my first pair of shoes." Adding a little pep to your step always breeds a greater sense of positivity. When Forrest Gump ran three times across the nation, he found loyal followers running behind him. Amazingly enough, when he stopped, they stopped to hear the words of wisdom from a guy with an IQ of 75.
Before, I end this blog let me clarify a few things. First, I do believe education is important and that schools do matter when when it comes to academics. I don't believe, however, that where we go to school or our IQ determines our ultimate success. I also know that Forrest Gump is a fictional character and to credit him with actually achieving incredible feats might be pushing it. However, I do think there is a lot we all can learn from his character. It encourages me, and I hope it encourages you.
Stay tuned tomorrow, I have a surprise blogger.
Blake
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