The Joy of Believing

 

I have studied success and those who teach success principles for several decades now, and I can tell you that there is one common theme they all share, that of a positive attitude. Scouts and Scouters need to be among those who have discovered that a positive attitude is a key to winning in life. As Coach Pat Riley said, “Great efforts spring naturally from a great attitude.”

Here is a simple fact: Success is hard work. No one succeeds overnight, and it is never just thrust upon them. We succeed at whatever we do through hard work, determination, and skill. You cannot put forth that kind of effort with a rotten attitude. I know that we can all point to someone who seems to have achieved success and are a highly negative and nasty person. I would remind you that success is not based on wealth or power. If you have achieved money, a title, and power or fame and live a life not fit for a junkyard dog, you have failed my friend.

“Success or failure in business is caused more by the mental attitude even than mental capacities.”

Walter Scott

1771-1832

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Why would you wish to live a negative life filled with fear and anger? I love what Sir Winston Churchill said, “I am an optimist. It does not seem too much use being anything else.” Scouts should look at success as something more than just wealth and a title. They know that their whole life is involved here. They desire it all, wealth, achievement and happiness, freedom, and love. That will not happen without a positive attitude. With a positive attitude, they know they can do anything they desire to do. There is an old Japanese saying, “If you look up, there are no limits.”

Positive people see their attitude as a tool to move forward. Thomas Jefferson said, “Nothing on earth can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.” Scouts learn that if they allow negative thinking and attitudes to take root in their heads that they will lose any ground they have gained in their quest to succeed. The Scout comes to understand that his or her attitude is the essential tool they own. They protect it, they feed it, and they enjoy it.

Scouting Out of Uniform is a personal blog based on the lessons learned from Scouting that relate to personal development and success principles and is not an official site of The Boy Scouts of America. John Patrick Hickey does not represent or speak for the Scouting program; however, he does completely support and encourages Scouting for both young and old. John Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker, Personal Development Coach, and proud Scouter. To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business, or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com.   © 2020 John Patrick Hickey