What is your vision for success?
It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.
– Henry David Thoreau
Who is Henry David Thoreau
Henry David Thoreau (Amazon affiliate link) was an American essayist, poet, philosopher and much more. His most famous works are his book, Walden, and an essay, Civil Disobedience.
I haven’t read any of his works, other than some of his quotes like today’s quote of the day, but after reading the Wikipedia page about him I’m very curious.
It’s Not What You Look At, It’s What You See
One phrase that really annoyed me back when I worked as a software developer was “perception is reality.” The managers said it all the time.
Of course it isn’t true in a literal sense. The sky appears blue during the day and black at night but it is neither. The color has to do with how the light comes through the Earth’s atmosphere.
But the perception of a company does affect how people do business with it, if at all. The perception may be completely wrong, but that doesn’t matter.
That’s one way to interpret today’s quote of the day in the business world.
Inspiration
There is an old tractor rusting in a field. That’s what you look at, but what do you see?
A land developer may see some junk that needs to be hauled away before he can develop the property.
The artist sees a subject for her next painting.
A writer sees a story about a small family farm that finally gave up the fight against the big factory farms.
The farm historian sees an antique to be bought and lovingly restored.
They all look at the same thing but see very different possibilities.
Vision for Success
What do you see when you look at your life, your family, where you live?
Do you see great success, or dismal failure?
With the fact that everyone sees something different when they all look at the same thing, like the rusting farm tractor, comes the opportunity to change what you see when you look at something.
If you haven’t achieved the success you want, can you see the launching pad to that success ? Make it the inspiration or the drive for that success.
Build your vision for success.
Bonus Quote
Here’s another way of saying this.
If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.
– Wayne Dyer
Check out the previous quote of the day for even more advice about how to change your life.
