Photo By: O Palsson
“The best way to predict the future is to invent it” – Alan Kay
We have control over a lot more than we often acknowledge. While it is true that we cannot control the circumstances and events around us, we can certainly control our response.
It’s often our attitude and response that makes all the difference.
Perhaps you are familiar with the story of Viktor Frankl, and his writings about the importance of attitude and mindset.
In his book Man’s Search for Meaning, Frankl talks about surviving 4 Nazi concentration camps, and his observations as a Psychiatrist. He points out that the predictor whether or not individuals would survive this horrific experience had nothing to do with their education, upbringing, age, or any other factor you might first consider; but that one factor that made all the difference was: attitude.
It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you set your mind to taking full ownership of the outcome. It’s all too easy to play the role of the victim – in fact having a victim mentality makes you feel like a victim of the mentality itself.
Take ownership: Don’t ask: “Why Me?”
Ask instead: “How can I make that happen?”
A great example of predicting the future by inventing it, is found in actor Nathan Barnatt. Below you can see a video of the character he created as an unofficial spokesperson for Skittles candy.
After doing a series of these mock commercials, he finally got the attention of Skittles who subsequently hired him to be an official spokesperson! What an amazing accomplishment. It should also service great inspiration to the rest of us, remembering that the best way to predict the future is to truly go out there and invent it.
“The chances of getting into something are so slim, you should create your own thing and focus on it really well. Don’t sit around and wait for other people to do those things.”
Nathan Barnatt
Jon, I sometimes think you and I have very similar ideas! Great article today. The best predictor of the future is the past, and we can’t predict that future if we are lying to ourselves or others.
Also, really cool story Nathan Barnatt. Rarely do we see someone do something that off the wall creative, just because, and have it lead to their dream job! Cool stuff!
Thanks Ellory, having true honesty with ourselves is a very big part of planning a successful roadmap for life – really great point!
The impressive part about Nathan, is this is only a small segment of his career – you may recognize him as the lab assistant who gets short in the neck with a tranquilizer dart in a current Capital One commercial with Aleck Baldwin, for example. I love success stories like his.
Jon, Great post. Thanks for writing. The message is clear and memorable. You can control your future if you intentionally live with both the right attitude and actions to match! I needed that reminder this morning…So thanks for having a positive impact on my day!
I appreciate it!
I appreciate your comment Scott, it makes my day to know that other are encouraged by what I share!
You have outlined one of my central thoughts for each day. I believe that powerful results can happen when the Right Approach+Right Attitude+Right Actions are aligned with the Right Ambitions…but more on that in the future!
Technically, isn’t it the over-nourished that generally survived the best, while the malnourished didn’t even have enough nourishment for their own brains to function properly? It’s not to say that you don’t have a good point. If anything, I’m pointing out HOW some might’ve ended-up with a better attitude over others. If you’re so healthy that you can handle a harsh environment, then there’s a good chance that you’ll do just fine. Now, I suppose it IS possible to willfully have a negative attitude to the point that you get nutritionally drained, and that’s certainly something to consider. So, it goes hand in hand, really. You have to take great care of yourself both physically AND psychologically. 😉
Just be so great that you can’t be ignored. Simple, huh? Well, maybe not – but it doesn’t work any other way.
You make it sound so easy!
I Taste the Rainbow when I read your blog 🙂
Thanks. I think.
I love Nathan’s work. Found him years ago. I especially love this video of his touchdown dance. HI-LAR-IOUS
Ahh! another fan – the Keith Apicary music videos are pure genius.
Great post and quotes! What a great reminder. The future is set by the choices we make today, either toward success or average.
Thanks Dan – you are right, success or average is all about daily choices!
Your welcome. I really enjoy reading and commenting on your posts.