how to succeed

How To Succeed by Changing Who You Think You Are

“Follow your bliss and don’t be afraid, and doors will open where you didn’t know they were going to be” – Joseph Campbell

If you can do it anyone else can do it too. Do you know that to be true? We all have the ability to stretch beyond our believed capacity and reach for the stars. But many of us have self-imposed beliefs that prevent us from getting to the next level.

Do you know who Roger Bannister is? He was the first person to run a mile in under four minutes.. The four-minute mile was believed to be impossible to reach until Roger did it in 1952. The motivating factor for Bannister was to prove that running a mile in under four minutes was not a myth and completely possible to do. In other words, he crushed a limiting belief that had been long-held by sportswriters and fellow runners in his time.

Guess what happened as a result of Bannister running a mile in under four minutes? You guessed it, the ‘four minute barrier’ has since been broken by many male athletes, and is now the standard of all male professional middle distance runners.

The point of this post is not to discuss your running abilities. But rather to show you that anything is possible if you believe it to be. Witnessing Bannister run the mile in under four minutes allowed for other runners to not only know it is possible to do, but to actually do it themselves.

You see, whatever anyone has done can be replicated by you. What was once believed to be impossible is now very possible.

We are living in very special times. What once took a lifetime to carry out can now become real in almost no time at all. Just look at technology for example. We can do things now like have a Skype call face to face in “real time” on a monitor with someone on the other side of the World.

This was just a neat idea when I was a kid. Now it is real and I have experienced it first hand. We are also in a time where our thoughts are manifesting much quicker into reality. I won’t go into the whole LOA thing here but our thoughts are things, and every thought we have sends a signal from our brain out into the physical world. Similar to a radio or cell phone signal.

Now, more people than ever are having psychic experiences, and even more amazing, they are willing to talk about them openly without fear of ridicule. How many times have you thought of someone and you receive a call, email or they just sent you a message through social media? It’s happening, and it’s happening at a very deep level for many.

What about your dreams. Have they been “uber” real lately? Mine have. Very rich and vivid dreams as if they are really happening, well, that is without this heavy, dense suit that I call my body.

Many are realizing that they are conscious beings that actually have more control over their lives than they once believed they had. Human beings are remembering that they are beings and that their being is more important than titles, degrees, social status and so on.

We are in an age of transformation or as many of you know it as the “New Age” of humanity. We are at the place where “old ways” are being removed for “new ways.” We are leaving a place of great darkness and heading to a place of light and awareness.

Many of you are being called forward to step up to the plate and to take your place in this new world of creation. Nothing is impossible in this new time because if I can do it, so can you. If you can do it, so can I.

Are you ready for your new responsibility?

Many of you are in a profession that you are not cut out to be in. Perhaps your parents thought you should be a teacher so you went to school, got your degree, and now you are one. The experience of teaching turned out to not be the best career choice for you, but it has a great retirement plan. Right?

Wrong! Your spirit, the real you is nudging you in a new direction in life but you feel afraid to make the change. I get it, I feel fear too, but I Overcome it and move on in spite of it. This is the only way to real happiness, to real contentment with your life.

How many times can you get up every morning excited about a life that you are not excited about? For me, I’d rather stay in bed than to live a life that isn’t fun and exciting for me. So how do you make the change without losing something? Everything has temporary sacrifices but they will pass. You may need to take a step back in order to take five steps forward. Are you willing to do it?

Perhaps you just need courage to change. Fear of the unknown is the most common of all fears. Most of you have faced your fears in life yet you still have a fear of what lies ahead for you. What if you could learn to transform fear into curiosity? Would you be more likely to take a step into the unknown then?

The only way to truly be free is to not fear your fear, but to transform it into curiosity like; “I wonder what would happen if I went this direction with my life?” What would happen? You won’t ever know unless you move towards it with curiosity instead of fear.

Justin Mazza is the owner and author of the award-winning personal growth blog Mazzastick.com. He invites you to have a look at his latest eBook and audio program: Overcoming Fear: Sticking it to What’s Holding You Back.

Photo credit: ‘Baby Think‘ by Big Stock

  • Lisa Cloverdale

    I have to get this out: I secretly believe good things just won’t happen for me. I made a secret pact with God when I was a kid, when they would fight, if my parents didn’t kill each other I would be able to endure all the negatives that csmemy families way. So I feel very uncomfortable with any blessings that may come my way.I have to turn this around some how. Am going crazy trying, nothing working, am 44. Reading articles from this site helps.thank you.

    • Guest

      There are always limiting factor towards what we truly believe and what we ask of. To receive what we ask for, we have to be able to vision what we ask in details, the image and the senses associated. The belief of what we desire has an associated impact towards how things will turn out. That being said, it’s simply when a person feels good they see things go smoother, and when they have negative feelings there are always more road blocks along the path. The conscious and subconscious mind has to be synchronized, and where believing comes before seeing the actual circumstances appearing. When we can control our thoughts and emotions, maintaining constant positive state of mind, we will be able to control your environment, and not the vice versa

      • http://Mazzastick.com/ Justin Mazza

         So true my friend. I have noticed that as well. When I feel good, life flows, but when I am blocked, or hindered with negativity, life seems to go the “wrong direction for me.

        You are spot on about the conscious and subconscious mind needing to be in sync. Have you ever heard of Dr.Robert Anthony? His work has made me totally understand how the conscious and subconscious mind works in our daily lives.

    • Alicia

      I felt the same way two years back. My life is wonderful, you see. It may not seem so for others but, in my opinion, I have almost everything a girl could wish for. I’m not saying I have a perfect life but I have a very blessed life with loving family and friends, a perfect boyfriend and simply put, a wonderful life. And at one point, I got worried because I felt that me being so blessed, it can’t stay up all the time. My mum talked to me and told me that I shouldn’t feel worried, but motivated. Motivated to do good. Seeing as I’m having so much good things, I am in a position to do good things. Be kind, help others. Contribute to society. Even if you don’t believe in karma, it’s sort of like having a karmic balance. So, please! Stop worrying and do good! :)

      • http://Mazzastick.com/ Justin Mazza

         Hi Alicia,
        I do believe in karma, it’s the “boomerang theory” in action. What you put out (either positive or negative) comes right back to you. You seem to already know this and that is why you are experiencing such a blessed life.

  • Lisa Cloverdale

    I have to get this out: I secretly believe good things just won’t happen for me. I made a secret pact with God when I was a kid, when they would fight, if my parents didn’t kill each other I would be able to endure all the negatives that csmemy families way. So I feel very uncomfortable with any blessings that may come my way.I have to turn this around some how. Am going crazy trying, nothing working, am 44. Reading articles from this site helps.thank you.

  • http://crazyintrovert.com/ Glori (CrazyIntrovert)

    It takes a lot of courage to change directions… But its the only to know the answers to that “what if.”

    • http://Mazzastick.com/ Justin Mazza

       Hi Glori,
      So true. The mind does not like change at all and it will do everything it can to resist it. But change is the only constant in our world so we need to become flexible enough to change.

  • http://www.willtravelforwork.com/ Nick Vannello

    “rather to show you that anything is possible if you believe it to be.”

    Please stop perpetuating this crap.

    I will never be 6’6″, an aardvark or African American. I will also never become a surgeon, the President of the United States or an astronaut. 

    I’m not a Debbie Downer, I’m a Realist Richard. There is nothing wrong with being encouraging, but isn’t it more realistic to tell someone, “you have special talents that, once you discover them, will make you happy the rest of your life. Let’s figure out what those talents are.”

    I found out what my talents are and I have an amazing career, a great personal life and yes, the money followed.

    As for the readers who are punishing themselves with the concept of God limiting them: Get therapy. As an atheist, that crap is horribly damaging to your self-esteem. Once I got past gods, my life opened up.

    For those who believe that god is punishing them, get over yourself. You’re not that special that out of the millions of people, god would single you out to make your life miserable. I thought your god wanted you to be happy? The only one holding you back is you and your twisted fantasy that you need to be tortured.

    • Luke

      When did God come up in any of this?

      • http://Mazzastick.com/ Justin Mazza

         Hi Luke,
        I believe it was Lisa’s comment that referenced God.

      • http://Mazzastick.com/ Justin Mazza

         Hi Luke,
        I believe it was Lisa’s comment that referenced God.

      • http://Mazzastick.com/ Justin Mazza

         Hi Luke,
        I believe it was Lisa’s comment that referenced God.

      • http://Mazzastick.com/ Justin Mazza

         Hi Luke,
        I believe it was Lisa’s comment that referenced God.

      • http://Mazzastick.com/ Justin Mazza

         Hi Luke,
        I believe it was Lisa’s comment that referenced God.

      • http://Mazzastick.com/ Justin Mazza

         Hi Luke,
        I believe it was Lisa’s comment that referenced God.

    • Luke

      When did God come up in any of this?

    • http://Mazzastick.com/ Justin Mazza

       Hi Nick,
      I get what you are saying here and I would probably be saying the same thing if I read this. I was watching a PBS episode with Dr Wayne Dyer several months ago called: Wishes Fulfilled.  Wayne was recalling a discussion he had with an audience member after he was giving a talk about becoming whatever you want to become in your life. The gentleman in the audience who was all of 5’5″ said to Wayne,  ” Hey Wayne, your telling me that I can become a linebacker for the N.Y. Giants.”  ” Is this what you are telling me when you say I can do or become anything?”

      Dr Wayne Dyers response, ” Does that feel natural to you?” The man’s response, “No.” That’s the point. While I believe you can do or become anything in life, it is up to each individual person to decide what feels natural, comfortable, right to them.

      I got over my issues with God many, many years ago. It’s our personal choices that create problems in our lives, not God or anyone, or anything outside of us.

      Kudos to your success in life. It is the dream of literally billions of people to be able to make a living doing what they love. I will have to come over and check out your website.

    • http://Mazzastick.com/ Justin Mazza

       Hi Nick,
      I get what you are saying here and I would probably be saying the same thing if I read this. I was watching a PBS episode with Dr Wayne Dyer several months ago called: Wishes Fulfilled.  Wayne was recalling a discussion he had with an audience member after he was giving a talk about becoming whatever you want to become in your life. The gentleman in the audience who was all of 5’5″ said to Wayne,  ” Hey Wayne, your telling me that I can become a linebacker for the N.Y. Giants.”  ” Is this what you are telling me when you say I can do or become anything?”

      Dr Wayne Dyers response, ” Does that feel natural to you?” The man’s response, “No.” That’s the point. While I believe you can do or become anything in life, it is up to each individual person to decide what feels natural, comfortable, right to them.

      I got over my issues with God many, many years ago. It’s our personal choices that create problems in our lives, not God or anyone, or anything outside of us.

      Kudos to your success in life. It is the dream of literally billions of people to be able to make a living doing what they love. I will have to come over and check out your website.

    • http://Mazzastick.com/ Justin Mazza

       Hi Nick,
      I get what you are saying here and I would probably be saying the same thing if I read this. I was watching a PBS episode with Dr Wayne Dyer several months ago called: Wishes Fulfilled.  Wayne was recalling a discussion he had with an audience member after he was giving a talk about becoming whatever you want to become in your life. The gentleman in the audience who was all of 5’5″ said to Wayne,  ” Hey Wayne, your telling me that I can become a linebacker for the N.Y. Giants.”  ” Is this what you are telling me when you say I can do or become anything?”

      Dr Wayne Dyers response, ” Does that feel natural to you?” The man’s response, “No.” That’s the point. While I believe you can do or become anything in life, it is up to each individual person to decide what feels natural, comfortable, right to them.

      I got over my issues with God many, many years ago. It’s our personal choices that create problems in our lives, not God or anyone, or anything outside of us.

      Kudos to your success in life. It is the dream of literally billions of people to be able to make a living doing what they love. I will have to come over and check out your website.

    • http://Mazzastick.com/ Justin Mazza

       Hi Nick,
      I get what you are saying here and I would probably be saying the same thing if I read this. I was watching a PBS episode with Dr Wayne Dyer several months ago called: Wishes Fulfilled.  Wayne was recalling a discussion he had with an audience member after he was giving a talk about becoming whatever you want to become in your life. The gentleman in the audience who was all of 5’5″ said to Wayne,  ” Hey Wayne, your telling me that I can become a linebacker for the N.Y. Giants.”  ” Is this what you are telling me when you say I can do or become anything?”

      Dr Wayne Dyers response, ” Does that feel natural to you?” The man’s response, “No.” That’s the point. While I believe you can do or become anything in life, it is up to each individual person to decide what feels natural, comfortable, right to them.

      I got over my issues with God many, many years ago. It’s our personal choices that create problems in our lives, not God or anyone, or anything outside of us.

      Kudos to your success in life. It is the dream of literally billions of people to be able to make a living doing what they love. I will have to come over and check out your website.

    • http://Mazzastick.com/ Justin Mazza

       Hi Nick,
      I get what you are saying here and I would probably be saying the same thing if I read this. I was watching a PBS episode with Dr Wayne Dyer several months ago called: Wishes Fulfilled.  Wayne was recalling a discussion he had with an audience member after he was giving a talk about becoming whatever you want to become in your life. The gentleman in the audience who was all of 5’5″ said to Wayne,  ” Hey Wayne, your telling me that I can become a linebacker for the N.Y. Giants.”  ” Is this what you are telling me when you say I can do or become anything?”

      Dr Wayne Dyers response, ” Does that feel natural to you?” The man’s response, “No.” That’s the point. While I believe you can do or become anything in life, it is up to each individual person to decide what feels natural, comfortable, right to them.

      I got over my issues with God many, many years ago. It’s our personal choices that create problems in our lives, not God or anyone, or anything outside of us.

      Kudos to your success in life. It is the dream of literally billions of people to be able to make a living doing what they love. I will have to come over and check out your website.

    • http://Mazzastick.com/ Justin Mazza

       Hi Nick,
      I get what you are saying here and I would probably be saying the same thing if I read this. I was watching a PBS episode with Dr Wayne Dyer several months ago called: Wishes Fulfilled.  Wayne was recalling a discussion he had with an audience member after he was giving a talk about becoming whatever you want to become in your life. The gentleman in the audience who was all of 5’5″ said to Wayne,  ” Hey Wayne, your telling me that I can become a linebacker for the N.Y. Giants.”  ” Is this what you are telling me when you say I can do or become anything?”

      Dr Wayne Dyers response, ” Does that feel natural to you?” The man’s response, “No.” That’s the point. While I believe you can do or become anything in life, it is up to each individual person to decide what feels natural, comfortable, right to them.

      I got over my issues with God many, many years ago. It’s our personal choices that create problems in our lives, not God or anyone, or anything outside of us.

      Kudos to your success in life. It is the dream of literally billions of people to be able to make a living doing what they love. I will have to come over and check out your website.

    • http://Mazzastick.com/ Justin Mazza

       Hi Nick,
      I get what you are saying here and I would probably be saying the same thing if I read this. I was watching a PBS episode with Dr Wayne Dyer several months ago called: Wishes Fulfilled.  Wayne was recalling a discussion he had with an audience member after he was giving a talk about becoming whatever you want to become in your life. The gentleman in the audience who was all of 5’5″ said to Wayne,  ” Hey Wayne, your telling me that I can become a linebacker for the N.Y. Giants.”  ” Is this what you are telling me when you say I can do or become anything?”

      Dr Wayne Dyers response, ” Does that feel natural to you?” The man’s response, “No.” That’s the point. While I believe you can do or become anything in life, it is up to each individual person to decide what feels natural, comfortable, right to them.

      I got over my issues with God many, many years ago. It’s our personal choices that create problems in our lives, not God or anyone, or anything outside of us.

      Kudos to your success in life. It is the dream of literally billions of people to be able to make a living doing what they love. I will have to come over and check out your website.

  • http://Mazzastick.com/ Justin Mazza

      Hi Lisa,
    Limiting beliefs tend to get in the way of all forward
    progress in life. Beliefs like I am not good enough, smart enough,
    worthy enough. Often these beliefs are formed in early childhood and
    they remain with us through adulthood unless we change them.

    Sometimes
    when it appears that things are falling apart or not working, they are
    actually falling together. Want to know the secret to feeling better, to
    improving your life? Help someone else feel better, help someone else
    improve their life.

  • http://www.joyfulselfmanager.com/ Anthony Thompson

    Changing is hard. Changing who you are is almost excruciating.  You have to literally unlearn all of the limiting beliefs that you originally had about yourself over the years, and rebuild practically from scratch. It’s uncomfortable, and sometimes it’s even frightening. This is why so many people stay where they are; even though they’re miserable. However, if we want things to change for the better, we have to change for the better. It’s unfamiliar territory at first, but once we’ve made the commitment to achieve better lives, we will eventually emerge victorious.

    • http://Mazzastick.com/ Justin Mazza

       From your lips to God’s ears Anthony. The conscious mind despises change for lack of a better word. But, change is what life is all about. Life is changing so quickly, information is changing so quickly, we need to be able to change as well.

      And right, the change that I speak of are limiting beliefs about ourselves, as you know changing them is the key to a new life. (Not always easy to do at first) :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/yadnyesh.luktuke Yadnyesh Yoginish Luktuke

    Hey thanks! Nice stuff…..really helpful….:D! Hope you continue to write such blogs!

    • http://Mazzastick.com/ Justin Mazza

       Thank you for your kind words Yadnyesh!

  • pickthebrain

    Such a fan of this piece, Justin. Great job!

    • http://Mazzastick.com/ Justin Mazza

       Thank you so much for the opportunity Erin. I am truly humbled to have been able to have my post published on such an influential and popular personal growth blog. :)

  • JR

    I want to be a post writter for this great blog!

  • http://www.gettingtozen.com/ Kaizenrunner

    Hi Justin,

    I really like what you said about turnig courage into curiousity. Instead of saying that I am afraid of something, I could become curious about it. What is interesting to me is that I really have the power to decide whether I am going to be afraid or curious.

    As a runner, I can identify with Roger Bannister breaking the 4 minute mile. I don’t run a 4 minute mile, but have broken many running barriers of my own.

    The way I look at it is that life is an adventure and we all bought tickets for the ride. :-)

    • monkton11

       So true.  Life is a grand adventure and we have all the ability in the world to do the things we need to do to enjoy it. I couldn’t imagine running a 4 minute mile but I would love to see someone do it. Thanks!

    • monkton11

       So true.  Life is a grand adventure and we have all the ability in the world to do the things we need to do to enjoy it. I couldn’t imagine running a 4 minute mile but I would love to see someone do it. Thanks!

    • monkton11

       So true.  Life is a grand adventure and we have all the ability in the world to do the things we need to do to enjoy it. I couldn’t imagine running a 4 minute mile but I would love to see someone do it. Thanks!

    • monkton11

       So true.  Life is a grand adventure and we have all the ability in the world to do the things we need to do to enjoy it. I couldn’t imagine running a 4 minute mile but I would love to see someone do it. Thanks!

  • Vlad

    Thank you for the post Justin!
    I totally agree with you about the unique road each one of us must travel. The initial leap is the scariest, but also most liberating! The trick is to understand which road to take. This is where intuition comes in. We already sense the right direction. Just need to learn to trust ourselves. 

    Take care, Vlad

    • http://Mazzastick.com/ Justin Mazza

      You got it my friend. Learning to trust is the key as you said, once we get past that than the real adventure of life begins.

    • http://Mazzastick.com/ Justin Mazza

      You got it my friend. Learning to trust is the key as you said, once we get past that than the real adventure of life begins.

    • http://Mazzastick.com/ Justin Mazza

      You got it my friend. Learning to trust is the key as you said, once we get past that than the real adventure of life begins.

  • http://www.motivation.net.au/quotes/life-quotes Living Quotes

    Hello! I just would like to give a huge thumb up for the
    great info you have here on this post. I will be coming back to your blog for
    more soon.
     

    • http://www.mazzastick.com/blog-3/ Justin Mazza

       Thanks so much my friend.

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