Step Five Feed your Brain

5. Feed your brain.

Our thoughts control our thinking. The only talking recording in history to sell a million copies was by Earl Nightingale. It was a speech he gave about our thoughts controlling our minds titled The Strangest Secret.  He said, “Our lives are what our thoughts make of it.”

Honest Abe said, “ A man (or woman) is about as happy as they make up their mind to be.”

Solomon said, “As man thinks in his heart, so is he.”

What goes into your mind? What do you read, watch on TV, and listen to?

What was the last non-fiction book you read?

Here is an excerpt from my book Escape From Mediocrity chapter 7 that I challenge you to think about. It begins with a quote from a famous motivator Zig Ziglar:

“You are what you are and where you are today because of what has gone into your mind; you can change what you are and where you are by changing what goes into your mind.” That famous line from Zig Ziglar is repeated throughout his audio series, How to Stay Motivated. His books have been a big influence on my life. Zig says, “The single most important thing that determines your IQ is your vocabulary, and your vocabulary increases with every book you read.”

The average millionaire reads a book a month. Doesn’t that intrigue you? Aren’t you curious what they’re reading? Couldn’t you find 30 minutes a day to make a better future for you and your family? Is there a book you could read that would help you improve your present circumstances?

I believe if you want to join the ranks of those who make an above average income in America, you must become an avid reader. Are you willing to invest thirty minutes a day to change your life? Ten pages a day will get you through one book a month, that’s twelve books a year: sixty good books over five years. Do you think studying subjects that are extremely important to you would help you reach your goals and help you live an above-average life? I do! I’m convinced of it!

Your own Strategy for personal growth is the key that unlocks the door to a better future for you. You can’t escape from mediocrity if you don’t do the things above average people do.

My favorite speaker and author is Jim Rohn. We were talking after a conferance in Louisville and he said to me, “Clay, a person who won’t read is not any better off than a person who can’t read.”

Listening is almost as good as reading. Many of today’s Americans will say they are too busy to read but will pop in a CD and give it a listen. That’s why my newest book is an audio book. There is a written copy as well for those who prefer to read.

People would tell everyone they know, and complain, if they miss a meal or forget to eat. They will make sure they feed their body, but not think anything about feeding their minds. You be different. Strive to be above average when it comes to feeding your brain.

Resources: Clay's recommended reading List

Clay Campbell