Legacy by Design is intensely focused on providing solutions to the most puzzling aspects of long-term business success.  The elements of a comprehensive succession plan provide a path to attainment.  We spend a great deal of time discovering an owner’s intentions, mapping a pathway to achievement, planning the actions and implementing the strategies for multigenerational success.  Legacy by Design’s mode of operation serves as the petri dish for experientially learning many of the key aspects to building a business bigger than self.

We have been challenged lately by what I coyly dismiss as ‘growing pains.’  I often think, “Learn from the incident, record the lesson and move on more prepared.”  In moments of extreme struggle, I remind myself that, “The forge of experience strengthens the mettle of man for more intense challenges.”

For objective reassurance, sound motivation and as a simple reminder of purpose, I always refer to James Allen’s As a Man Thinketh.  For those unfamiliar, James Allen was an author of philosophical prose in the late 1800s.  He wrote 19 books during his nine year literary career, including his most acknowledged work, As A Man Thinketh.

The other day, in a moment of despair, I reassured myself by repeating the following quote:

“To put away aimlessness and weakness, and to begin to think with purpose, is to enter the ranks of those strong ones who only recognize failure as one of the pathways to attainment; who make all conditions serve them, and who think strongly, attempt fearlessly, and accomplish masterfully.”

Allen’s reassuring voice could not have come at a more opportune time.  I sat and studied the words, repeating them over and over to myself.  As I read, and reread, the paragraph my thoughts turned to an eternal question, “Can a person control patterns of thinking, create the right mental attitude, and develop the habits of success?”

__________ (Continued from Leave a Legacy on AgWeb) __________

Dissecting the quote and examining each piece as a geologist might a new-found precious stone:

“… think with purpose”
A definite purpose is a critical characteristic on the pathway to success.  You must know where you want to go.  A clear purpose gives direction and way-points to measure progress.  “What’s your objective?” is the most important question a person can consider before taking action.  To think with purpose, I’ll add - on purpose - is a key to achievement in any endeavor.

“… recognize failure as on of the pathways to attainment.”
This may prove to be the most difficult statement in the entire paragraph, possibly in all of life.  No one likes to fail, yet one must accept failure, maybe even embrace it, as a necessary stumbling block on the pathway to success.  We’ve all heard the adage that you learn more from failure than from success.  Think about that meaning in your own life.  Consider your biggest triumph.  The euphoric feeling of accomplishment does not allow thoughts of what should’ve/could’ve been done differently.  Success does not cause us to reflect.  Failure does.  Failure is necessary until the lesson is learned and sufficient strength is gained to overcome whatever obstacle impedes our progress. 

“… make all conditions service them”
A person cannot control all of the circumstances of life, yet Victor Frankl, in Man’s Search for Meaning, teaches us that we can control our response or reaction to those circumstances.  Making conditions serve us ensures that we utilize the opportunities, and the obstacles, on the pathway to success to their fullest extent.  A farmer plans in fertile ground, under the best of conditions, for an abundant crop.  We must make sure that the ‘ground’ in which we invest our effort is prepped for success.

“… think strongly”
If only the strong survive, shouldn’t one think as strongly as necessary to accomplish the objective at hand?  A can-do attitude backed by infectious enthusiasm will overcome any obstacle and win the race.

“… attempt fearlessly”
Emerson said, “Do what you fear most and you control fear.”  Roosevelt’s famous inaugural address included the timeless phrase: “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”  Combine both comments and you have the perfect antidote to master fear.  Philosophers though the ages assure us that it is the fear of failure, rather than failure itself, which paralyzes our action.

“… and accomplish masterfully”
I’m not sure if mastery is the foundation of confidence, or if confidence is the foundation of mastery.  I do know that a masterful accomplishment is the basis for continued achievement at ever-increasingly complex goals.

About now you may be asking yourself, what does this have to do with succession planning?  Doesn’t this blog usually cover family business succession?  My response is “everything” and “yes.”  It is much easier to transition a strong healthy business entity to a next generation of leaders who are strong, healthy and positioned for success.

For a complete copy of As a Man Thinketh by James Allen, please download a copy from our website.