As children we each begin our lives with an incredible gift – The gift of an Open Mindset. We truly believe that we can do, be, or have ANYTHING.
If someone asks us what we want to be when we grow up, we tell them that we want to be a palaeontologist and archaeologist, who is also a part-time astronaut and professional soccer player.
However, as we ‘grow up’ people and circumstances begin to impose limits on our thinking, and all too often we lose our open mindset, and instead adopt a closed mindset that stifles our growth and prevents us from reaching our full potential.
For example, as a boy Luke loved to draw. Most of all he loved to draw animals. He would spend hours with his sketchbook and a box of crayons, happily drawing horses, birds and lions.
His parents encouraged his efforts and when he was seven they took him to an art class run by a gruff old woman named Mrs. Dubrovsky who was a ‘professional’ artist.
Each week, Mrs. Dubrovsky set up a collection of bottles, glasses and fruit on a table and told her students to draw them. Luke did his best but he really wasn’t interested in drawing fruit – he wanted to draw lions.
By the end of the semester, his interest had waned. On the last day of term, he overheard Mrs Dubrovsky tell his mother that, “Luke does not have the temperament required to be an artist.” In that instant, Luke’s mindset slammed shut like a prison door. His teacher had said that he couldn’t be an artist so… he stopped drawing.
This could be the end of the story, but fortunately, as an adult, Luke discovered a powerful 5-step process to unlock his fixed mindset and reconnect with his childhood passion.
Step 1: Refuse to accept the limitations imposed on you by other people
It took over 35 years, but eventually Luke came to the realisation that Mrs Dubrovsky was NOT a world-renowned artist, but rather, just a local art teacher who had no idea how to nurture children’s passion for art.
Luke made the conscious decision to reject her assessment of his ability, and reconnect with his desire to draw, which had lain dormant in his heart for so many years.
Step 2: Make Time to DO
Luke’s next step was to find time to pursue his passion. Now 42, he was extremely busy juggling the demands of his work and family. However when he examined his weekly timetable carefully, he discovered that he had two hours to himself every Thursday evening, when his wife took their daughter to piano lessons. He decided to dedicate this time to drawing and painting.
Step 3: Make Time to LEARN
Luke also realised the importance of continuous learning. He would have loved to book into a regular art class, but he just didn’t have the time, so instead he picked up a copy of the book ‘Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain’ and took it to work with him.
During his lunch break, he found a quite spot and read the book and worked through the exercises. He was amazed at the progress he made, and this quickly became a highpoint of his day.
Step 4: Select Your Teachers with Care
After his childhood experience with Mrs Dubrovsky, Luke realised the importance of selecting the right teacher for each stage of his journey. After completing the ‘Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain’ book, Luke purchased a DVD by wildlife artist Joe Weatherly.
After learning a great deal in his own time, and developing his skill through consistent practise, eventually Luke was ready to find an art teacher. He talked with many professional artists and eventually found someone who he respected and enjoyed spending time with.
Over the next two years, his new teacher helped Luke take his drawing and painting to a whole new level.
Step 5: Enjoy the Journey and the Destination
Even though Luke was starting to draw later in life, he was not disappointed by his early efforts. He did not see learning to draw as a painful journey that would eventually lead to something he could enjoy.
On the contrary, he derived an incredible sense of joy from the process of learning. Every time he picked up a pencil and started drawing he felt a stirring in his heart and a sense that he was FINALLY doing what he was meant to do.
Five years after making the decision to start drawing again, Luke held his first exhibition at a local gallery.
Not only was he proud of the wildlife paintings that hung on the gallery walls, he was also proud of the fact that he had overcome the childhood limitations imposed on him by Mrs Dubrovsky.
Today I’d like to encourage you to adopt an open mindset and understand that no matter what has happened in the past, you CAN achieve your most important goals in life, if you are willing to put in the time and effort required to bring them to fruition.
All you have to do is:
1. Reject the limitations imposed on you by others and decide exactly what it is that YOU want to be good at
2. Find the time to DO
3. Find the time to LEARN
4. Select your teachers carefully
5. Enjoy the journey and the destination
By following this 5-step plan, you can overcome longstanding limitations, tap into the optimism of your youth, and ultimately become the person you were always meant to be.
Until next time,
Dare To Dream!
Dr. Anthony
{ 70 comments… read them below or add one }
Right on time, thank you!
Hi Anthony,
You are superb, this was the ultimate , it’s true we draw our own boundaries using people’s WORDS. I am your great fan, thanks a lot.
Ur life mottos are very inspiring,,,,whenever i feel confused at some stage of decision, i com on this link, read the related stories n get back to work……thx anthony…….:) god bless u……
Thank you very much…..Anthony !!!
Thankyou!! Perfect inspiration for what I’m experiencing NOW in my life. Thankyou!!
All because of a few negative things people said to me about my ability as a musician, I took the 20 year plan to get my music degree. This is VERY true. I’ve wanted to be a music teacher since I was 6. If I had a nickel for every person that tried to tell me I couldn’t be a music teacher, I’d be rich. Another thing I always wanted to do was play the harp, but many told me it was a really hard instrument to play. OMG! I have a harp and I’ve been playing for years. How hard can it be, it’s like a piano only vertical instead of horizontal. The music is the same as piano only with a few extra markings, like harmonics and stuff. For all of you out there with life long dreams of doing things DO IT! No one has the right to tell you whether or not you have the ability to do something. I had a choir member in an adult choir I directed up until a few years ago tell me she couldn’t sing well, but she loved music. First of all, she had a really lovely voice. My response to her was, “why would God give you an interest in something and not give you the ability to do it?” Oh by the way. I’m a music teacher. My family members and relatives are musicians, artists, writers, and teachers. My family has always been wonderful and encouraging to me.
Hey:
Thanks for your emails – here’s a thought that you might find interesting.
The psychologist William James (I believe he was referred to as the father of psychology – might be wrong) remarked that the single most profound discovery that he made as a psychologist was that a person has the ability to simply change his mind and consequently change his/her life. That’s it, later. Chris
For step 1, what if I am the one imposing limitations on myself? Is the idea the same (refuse to believe them) or is there a different process to use?
Dear Dr Anthony,
I have read many of your great newsletters over the years, but this one brought back memories to me, because I had some experiences in my youth which I believe stifled my creativity for some time, and probably prevented me from having an art or singing career. I always loved drawing and one day at school, my geography teacher, Miss Ferguson, found me drawing instead of listening to her boring lesson ! She called me up to her desk and slapped me hard across the face while she told the class about my drawing instead of listening to her. I know I should not have been drawing, but her punishment was emotionally damaging for a shy girl in grade 5 and I have never forgotten it, or her name,even though I can barely remember other teachers names now at my age of 75.
I had another experience that I feel had stifled the desire to ever sing in public again when I was older, when my singing teacher told me to sing in the Estedfords. I was still of school age and still very shy. My singing classes had been arranged by my mother and my aunt and I was taught classical singing ,which I know now was not the type of music for me because I have since loved music with rhythm and a good beat or swing style. I was very scared up on that stage, but sang as well as I could. When I received the Adjudicate’rs comments on a large form, all it had on it in large letters right across the whole page was: OPEN YOUR MOUTH !!
I still have that form and it is packed away, but any time I have seen it, I have felt angry that he had no tact or understanding about how that would affect me then and in later life. It has taken me many years to become a confident person and to know who I really am and what I can do.
I was about 50 years old when I went off from a country town to the city (Adelaide) to have a one day lesson from a lovely French lady who taught me how to paint on silk. I loved the medium and bought some silk , dyes, and a steamer to steam the silk after it was painted, etc, (to set the dyes),and I then painted and framed enough art work to have an exhibition in Adelaide. My very first exhibition was a success and I sold many of my paintings. Since then I have won some awards, but in recent years I moved to Queensland (big mistake) and have had health problems. I am now planning on moving back to South Australia where I have my family and old friends and plan to teach silk painting when I get settled.
I only wish I had been able to do all of the above sooner with confidence, which had been brutely taken away from me when i was young. I could have possibly have had a good income producing career and not been struggling on a pension for so long. It is just so much harder to do it all now. But I am going to see what I can do anyway !
Kind regards
Beth
very nice motivational article thanks
Hi Anthony:
This article was really nice. Thanks a lot!
I always enjoy reading your enthusiastic articles. They are truly encouraging!!
Thanks again brother.
Take care and be safe n happy always!!
Regards,
Jameel Ahmed
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
“Proud to be an INDIAN”
Dear Dr. Anthony,
I have enjoyed your newsletters with their simple tones yet very powerful messages. The story you shared today sounds very familiar. I have seen this happen to myself and my other family members. However, it is often late when we realized that the remarks that others have made about our ability are not always right. For you it was 35 years. The fact of the matter is that kids are not in control of which teacher they can have or which school they can attend. Very often, I also see that kids do things such as drawing or playing the piano because their parents have made them. They choose the class and make sure their kids show up for the classes. Few kids go to these classes because they have expressed interest in pursuing something they enjoy doing. Most kids whine when their parents make them do it. It usually takes a little time before a kid starts to enjoy doing what it has been taught. So I find your advice relevant as an adult, I am not sure how kids would respond to such messages, and whether these messages are more for parents or kids.
Hong
You have never shared a message that has not touched my heart strings. Thank you
Thank you so much, Mr. Anthony. Have a nice day
Very nice article…
Dr.Anthony, the first step is crucial, other steps will follow. Thank you.
Thank You for this! Recently, I have decided to play the guitar again after 15 years.
I went through the same kind of experience Luke went through. From the time I was a small boy, I wanted to be a guitar player. My parents discouraged it.
Later, in life, I became a “Christian.” I was continually told what kind of music was, “acceptable” to God and what was not. Finally I gave up playing the guitar all together.
I have always “heard” music in my heart. Maybe not the music others find acceptable, but music non the less; my music.
An so, the journey begins . . .
Thank you for the encouragement!
very inspiring and at the right time for me. Many Thanks
Iam now doing something,i should have done 10 years ago.This article is very encouraging.I realise i can still achieve my dreams despite the limitations.Thankyou Anthony.
Hi Anthony … Thanks for this wonderful piece of advice!
Thank you Anthony. Also thank you for the Oracles Secret. Quite a while ago I was asked to comment on it and I didn’t know how to respond. I would say that ALL your articles are great and the book should be a must read for every young person (old People too) Alice
thanks Anthony,…..i needed it , i also forward this mail to my wife & son!!
As always another great piece of inspiration..I’ll take to heart!
Hi Anthony,
This is so inspiring, I always start my day inspired every time I read your great stories, I am your great fan!
Gratitude is the language of my heart.
Cressy
you are really right!!Thanks you very much for inspiration=)))and for useful articles which only make me feel better=)
Hi, Antony,
Very Good Article & steps mentioned for open mindset.It is inspiring.Our mindset is like “glass full water ” & unless we empty it, we are unable to receive the new things.
Thank you for your newsletter. I will continue to pursue my passion.
Thank you so much for confirming what I shared with my congregation today using the life of Elisha in the Bible and his relationship with his mentor Elijah focusing on all the distractions that Elisha encountered from others and even 3 times from his own mentor and yet he persevered to the end and received the double portion anointing for ministry (2Kings 1-15)
Thought pravoking….
thanks for sharing its a very inspiring
Very nice article….
Thank you for sharing.
Superb…. No word to say …. You are a great…
Thank you for your newsletter..
As Emerson said in his essays, and as Thomas
Wolfe said in YOU CAN’T GO HOME AGAIN,
“Pick out what you want in life, pay the price and
take it.”
Very nice and inspiring article.
Thank you very much for encouraging us. I wish everyone could read this!
Thanks a bunch!!!! Anthony, really helpful article
Dear Mr. Anthony,
Thanks a lot for your efforts to help us live a better life. Your articles and suggestions are tailored according to the needs of people who have difficulty in coping with life and its components.
As a person who has seen the benefits of your studies, I would like to ask you something. For years, I have tried to perform meditation in order to relax and reach mindfulness. I think, I couldn’t be very successful. In my opinion, meditating in the classical way is not very easy and I don’t have a chance to get help from an instructor.
I would be very happy if you could tell me if there is a method similar to meditation in its effects, but easier to perform than the classical meditation. I also think most people will try to make use of such a method which will help to be more positive. Reaching mindfulness as well as relaxing is also important as it may help to be constantly positive rather than relaxing temporarily. (These are my modest opinions, of course)
I would be very happy if you tell your opinion.
Korhan
thanks Anthony again you inspired me through ur articles………. But Anthhony i wanna share a problem, from a long time i am suffering from this problem…………… i am realizing negative thoughts are increasing in my mind after seeing anything good positivism comes but only for sometime………… day by day i am loosing myself i am scared of future………please help me…………..
Thank you…Sir….:)
thank you so much. totally neede the message.
Give your dreams some fuel to work & ignite your engine to get started!
Antony this is good its like never say die!
Regards
thank u very much sir.it inspired me alot. i Hope such similar articles from u………………..sir.
I have been recently thinking of doing something different in my life but have been afraid of trying. With reading this article, I’m going to follow your steps and push myself in doing something that I’ve always had an interest in.
Thanks.
Thank you
) have been working on all the points you suggest and am finally beginning to get out of my comfort zone, my fears and slowly but surely achieving my dreams.
Cant get words to praise this article. Thanks Anthony
I’m gonna be a copycat and YES, right on time:) Thank you anthony:)
thank you very much for such an motivational and inspiring article
fantastic article…………thanx antony
Whatever written all is so true. Honestly the problem lies in achieving whatever you want to achieve despite the practical difficulties that come on the way.
Thanks Antony for inspirational matter.
Hi Anthony,
This is really a nice article and has infused a lot of inspiration in me too.
Thanks for this. Keep Inspiring..
I stopped after step-3. Its the exact words that are required! Thanks again!
This article was written at the most opportune moment for me. I rediscovered the passion of singing in me thanks to some of the wonderful articles I have read in your blog.
Thanks Dr. Anthony Fernandes. You have really been a source of inspiration for many like me in overcoming our mental blocks and so called – limitations.
( If you click on my name, you will get to see my passion
)
The 5 powerful steps just came at the right time since Iam currently finding myself in a situation where I will use them as inspiration…Thanks for sharing…
The 5 powerful steps just came in handy as I will need during this time..Thanks for sharing…
Very inspirational as always! God bless you. Thank you
Thanx. My 8 yrs son is very irresonsible and careless. How can I tackle such problems. Have u some notes on well grooming of kids.
thank you so much for ur auspicious comments & advise.
Terrific. Thank you Dr.
Thanks,dr Anthony,you have just made my day.Thanks a lot .
God bless you Dr for helping his lost and confused souls.
Thank you
Nice One.
Thanks a lots u just work me up to persue my dream the is a guy who he is behaving like luke teacher.and my boss at the sametime is doing the samething sence i told her that i will be studying she is always on my case.enough of me thanks again i will pull even ndhou its hard i am determind to rich my goel and no can stop me…..
Hi Anthony,
Was nice reading your article.. It teaches to live life in our accordance and not others accordance who are noway a part of our life.. After all. therz only one life time to achieve and cherish..
Thanks.
ty, u just take my time to learn something
Dear Anthony
I am really impressed and inspired by your articles. These are very useful guides to all beginners whether young or old. keep it up. God bless you You are doing a wonderful job—-spreading light and removing darkness of ignorance.
Your rocks ALWAYS…. thanks
Hi Anthony
Thank you for this article which reflects exactly what has been and remains the problem of many of us. Limitation on others by others has ruined many in their precious lives, I hope “The Power of Mindset” will be read by as many as possible
Thank you so much Dr,
God Bless you
Aktofel
Providing the simple and rejuvenating story of LUKE,who endure to become an artist,in a systematic way.
Regards from Croatia.