Here’s a very simple shift in thinking that can have a profound impact on your results if you apply it.
The vast majority of entrepreneurs are seeking a magic tool or tactic that’s going to propel them into wealth and success. They look for something outside of them that’s going to deliver quick results, like a great new social media tool or magical marketing system.
Unfortunately, they’re usually disappointed.
At the same time, a small group of entrepreneurs attain success and wealth, and seem to do it almost effortlessly.
What’s the difference?
Most people think it’s some advantage they have, such as “who they know”, or that they have better skills or talents that the rest.
Not true.
No, the real distinction is so simple, it often fails to be noticed.
I was reading an article recently in Parade Magazine, and was struck by how incredibly profound it was.
It was the cover story about George Clooney. I’ll admit, I never thought I’d be quoting him in my work, but when someone says something brilliant, I give credit where it’s due.
They asked all the usual “movie star type” questions, but then the last question they asked him revealed a very powerful insight that speaks directly to this inner power I’m talking about.
Check this out:
Interviewer: “You’ve talked about how lucky you are. What have you learned from your failures?” Clooney: “It’s hard when you get thumped. I’ve been proficient at failure. But the only thing you can do is say, “Here’s what I won’t do next time.” I was a baseball player in school. I had a good arm, I could catch anything, but I was having trouble hitting. I would be like, “I wonder if I’ll hit it; just let me hit the ball.” And then I went away for the fall, learned how to hit, and by my sophomore year I’d come to the plate and think, “I wonder where I want to hit the ball, to the left or right?” Just that little bit of skill and confidence changed everything. Well, I had to treat acting like that. I had to stop going to auditions thinking, “Oh, I hope they like me.” I had to go in thinking I was the answer to their problem. You could feel the difference in the room immediately. The greatest lesson I learned was that sometimes you have to fake it. And you have to be willing to fail.”There are a couple of very important things that Clooney touches on in his response. First, it’s his experience that you have to believe in yourself and make the decision of what you wish to be, before you actually become it. In other words, you have to “act as if”. Act as if you have already achieved what you’re seeking. Act as if you are already that person you aspire to become. For example, if you want to be the Trusted Authority in your market, then who do you need to be today in order for that to be true? What would the Trusted Authority do today, and how would they act? What would they think and what priorities would they focus on? As my friend John Assaraf says, “you can be interested, or you can be committed“. Most entrepreneurs are interested in success, wealth and impact. But most never actually commit fully to it, and that’s why they never generate results. The second thing that is profound in his answer is found in the comment, “I had to go in thinking I was the answer to their problem.” That’s exactly the mindset you must have when you’re an entrepreneur — the clear confidence that you’re able to solve a problem that your prospect or client has. The core purpose of any business is to solve problems for the target market. Without realizing it, Clooney nails the mindset that you must have as an entrepreneur. Most businesses fail because they’re not addressing a specific problem that a specific group has. They come up with a great idea, and then go out and try and sell it to the market. Your job is to find a problem, and then deliver a solution that meets the needs of your market better than any other alternative they have. Of course just having the solution isn’t good enough — you also have to be able to communicate clearly that you have the solution, which is where great marketing comes in. I can’t say I ever expected to be quoting Clooney when talking about entrepreneurship and business success, but this article excerpt is a great summary of the mindset it takes to be successful in business. Post a comment below and let me know what you think! ]]>
40 Responses
Great article! I needed this today. Thank you Greg!
Thanks Greg,
This reminder should be framed and hung on the wall over our desk, or work station until it becomes reality and instinct.
Failure is surely no option. Just welcome it as another lesson an move on!
This is a fabulous insight! It works on all levels of our lives after all aren’t we all marketing ourselves?
Thank you.
This is very true and in most situations I honestly believed deep in my heart based on my own assessment of my strengths and weaknesses, knowledge, and experience that I’m the best answer to their needs. However, a lot depends on the other party if they are able to recognize your potential. In my case I’m not fazed by failure, I simply walk away thinking that by the time you find out about my capabilities you’ll not be able to afford my services.
Well, I can say that I recently applied this approach in interviewing. I knew my subject matter so well (ie myself) and what I bring to the table, that I decided to interview them. It was a game-changer and I have now received an offer from a company whose values I align with, who understand how to make the hiring process authentic, fun and engaging and it was fairly easy to cut through the focus on “can you do this job?” to questions that were about alignment, values and “fit”.
Thanks the blog post Greg – you have captured the essence of why George Clooney has a success mindset!
Cheers,
Michelle
Vancouver BC Canada
Fantastic Michelle!! Love that you brought your confidence and abilities to the table KNOWING you could be of service to them.. and turning it around for you to interview them! Fabulous!! Congrats!
This is so true! I catch myself adding conditions to things I want and this was a good reminder, it’s not IF it is WHEN, and the when is now.
Clooney is right, and besides your analysis is better… There are two principal things in life: to act as you’ve won in your business; and be the solution to the needs of other… Thank you for your post.
Federico, Mexico
Men have already all the tools inside their brain. They need just become aware of their power. Then, with a bit of a hand they get up and start walking with confidence.
Powerful thoughts that you have just installed in my head Greg. I sometimes get so busy serving and providing good service to my customers that I forget or lose the visual images in my head why I enjoy what I do and hope to achieve.
Pine
Perfect timing with this post! When it comes to women – single, married, or in a relationship – who are ready to begin working on creating and living in the relationship of their dreams, I am The One they have been searching for! 🙂
Thanks so much!
Hey Glad1.. wow.. I read your reply a few times and discovered something about myself by read-through #3!
When IN a relationship.. ( or wanting to create or live the relationship of my dreams) it is up to ME to be confident and recognize the strength and beauty within, and not to doubt or wonder about what others are thinking about me.. ( because they need to communicate it, not me guessing!) …
Lovely.. I am going to think about that in the ways of ALL my relationships! ( family, partners, etc)
Peace and light
Elissa Joy
ps. thanks again for your insightful comment!
Just great!
The essence of it all.
Thanks for posting little piece that means a lot.
Giovanna, from Curitiba, Brazil
Yes, I’ve learned “act as if” or “modeling” someone who has the success you want, from Tony Robbins and Serge Kahili King. Body posture is important – sit and walk as if you have the confidence and power you want and need – and it’ll hep you “act as if” and empower your solar plexus chakra.
Becca Chopra, author of The Chakra Diaries
http://www.thechakras.org
Boy, did I ever need this! I have heard this message many times before, but just not in these words. Thank you so much for sharing this with the world.
Thank you for honoring truth; we need more people in this world that are willing to do that!
Darsana Roldan
Greg…I’m glad you shared what George Clooney had to say…I too read that article and enjoy his insights. As a matter of fact, I was there when he was “acting as if” LITERALLY….Dave and he were in an acting class together in the early 80’s and his pre-famous days!!! 🙂
Great reflection – along with acting “as if” we were already there, how about if we “become” what we want others to think we are – that is, worrying less about “doing,” and spending more effort on “being.” Thanks for picking up on this – it all starts within.
Hi, Greg. Very timely. This article came up in my local mastermind group yesterday. The woman telling us about it saw what you saw. I loved opening this today and hearing more about it. Thank you for sharing. I am posting your article on my Facebook and passing it on.
Great article, no wonder Clooney is such a sucess. In the acting world you can and must ‘fake it till you make it’
In my world of hospitality my moto is ‘Treat people as you would like to be treated yourself’ I find I ca’nt go wrong !!
Thanks Greg,
Kindest regards,
Olive , Elmville Guesthouse, Cobh, Co. Cork. Ireland
Another great insight. Aligns with what you have always stated yourself. Great to be reminded again.
thinking .. positive thoughts help .. of course !
But it is not enough !! You must also PLAN .. and then EXECUTE / FOLLOW THROUGH !
Thank you Greg! I started to follow You about 1 year ago. And You inspired me to change my mindset. And results are amazing – today my incomes are about 5x more than 1 year ago. Clients are seeking for me. Today I have to chose which project to take. 1 year ago I was begging for any project. Today I can choose clients and projects which I like. Thank you Greg and all your team!
What I am doing? I am reprogramming my mindset – I am doing it in 2 ways:
1) Every morning I say loudly in front of mirror how great I am and I repeat all my goals and I remind to myself all what I appreciate. I do what Napoleon Hill wrote – thanks Greg for that e-book.
2) I am using Doitex software on my computer – it reminds me to work less and accomplish more. I added so many inspirational quotes and a lot came from you, Greg. With Doitex I constantly remind to myself all wisdom what I found. I converted my computer work time in step-by-step mindset reprogramming. I do my work and reprogram mindset at the same time.
Thank you!
Yea yea…so true! Thank you so much Greg! I can’t stop myself from commenting here instantly (for the first time). Although I’ve been following and reading your very useful blog posts for months now. Thank you!
I totally agree with this attitude. Act as if whatever you want to be, have or do is already here. According to the Law of Attraction it is inevitable to happen!
As a consultant we are called upon to align and integrate parts to achieve the shared goal with minimum deviation, that all about problem solving. Great idea and we shall definitely try to project our services as solutions to problems.
Abhaynath Mishra
Greg.
George is quoting an attitude or Truth that’s been alive in LifeCoaching for many years..
The final part of George’s quote is: You must also be able to Envision what You really want from
your business. What is the end result for You from your business
As business people, we aim to give the best and truest service possible to our clients but we also
need to know where We are going and the end result.
Helen
Certified Life Coach
All of these points are great reminders to how we should run our business. Act as if and be the solution to the problem.
Very practical points and a nice pick-me up on what has been a distressing day. Thank you!
Wow, what a great blog. I’ve liked every one I’ve read so far, but this is one of the best. I love that mindset “I’m the solution.” How could you not be confident walking into a situation with that belief? It’s truly an eye opener. Thank you Greg, this is great information!
I have told interns on my movie sets to “Fake it ’til you make it.” Thanks for a great article Greg.
‘Act as if’ is self empowerment. I am reminded of a conversation I had many years ago. Someone I knew was ‘terrified’, as she had been invited to attend the same function as a former partner, a person she still held very deep feelings for, and her fear was exposure of her feelings. At the time my comment to her was something like – ‘You are not made of glass! He cannot see how you are feeling inside! Act as if!.
I know I am not made of glass, that inside I am frequently like jelly, but it has become a habit to ‘act as if’. And it works.
I allow my jelly to dissolve in privacy.
I remember talking to a business owner who said to me “whenever we have a management position coming up I look around the organisation for people who already act like managers and invite them to apply – the last thing we need are people who say ‘give me the job and I’ll act like a manager’ – because when they get there they don’t”. The simplest way to act like a manager is to be passionate about what you do and go beyond other people’s ideas of what they think you should be doing.
hello a very interesting about how to nurture always the right mindset in daily routine
In order to “Act as if” it’s critical that you make a start and keep at the art of “Thinking as if” and do it with unshakable faith!
Greg,
Thanks for this powerful insight.
Maurice
You are 100% Correct. As Hill say “Whatever The Mind Can Conceive And Believe It Can Achieve” Unfortunate most people don’t REALLY believe that statement
Dorthea Brande wrote a book in 1936 called “Wake up and Live” and her secret to changing her circumstances came from a simple thought – “Act as if it is impossible to fail”. Excellent read
It is just the beginning of any outcome, the first step. Without it, it cannot be any progress