I was very fortunate growing up that my parents demonstrated and constantly reminded my two sisters and me that i f we were willing to work hard and work smart, we could succeed at anything we set our minds to.
They never said it would be easy, as our life raising cattle on a ranch in Nebraska frequently demonstrated. As I often tell my athletes, if it were easy, everyone would be able to do it and then the rewards would not be as great.
This week, I’d like to share with you a poem that my parents had me memorize at a young age. It hung in the house we grew up in and today you can still see it, framed and hanging in my parents’ ranch office. I have referred back to its message on many occasions.
The Man Who Thinks He Can
If you think you are beaten, you are,
If you think you dare not, you don’t,
If you’d like to win, but you think you can’t,
It’s almost a “cinch” you won’t.
If you think you’ll lose, you’ve lost,
For out in the world you’ll find,
Success begins with a fellow’s will;
It’s all in the state of mind.
For many a race is lost
Before ever a step is run;
And many a coward fails
Before his work’s begun.
Think big and your deeds will grow,
Think small and you’ll fall behind,
Think that you can and you will;
It’s all in the state of mind.
If you think you’re outclassed, you are,
You’ve got to think high to rise,
You’ve got to be sure of yourself
Before you’ll ever win a prize.
Life’s battles don’t always go
To the stronger or faster man,
But sooner or later, the man who wins,
Is the fellow who thinks he can.
On our copy the author was listed as unknown but I’ve since seen credit given to Walter D. Wintle.
Remember, I said my parents taught me if I worked hard and worked smart I could do anything I SET MY MIND TO.
What will you set your mind to?!
