The Carpenter: A Story About the Greatest Success Strategies of All

Chapter 10Believe

As they cleared the furniture out of the family room and prepared the area to begin their work, the carpenter continued his work on Michael. “We learn best through stories, so let me tell you a story about an ancient tribe that was isolated from the rest of the world. The men in this tribe would run up to 40 miles a day to deliver messages to other tribes. As the men got older, they could actually run faster, longer, and farther than the younger tribesmen. When the researchers found this tribe they were amazed. How could this be, since it went against everything we know and experience in our modern world? In studying and spending time with these people the researchers discovered the secret. It had nothing to do with genes, blood type, or superhuman physical attributes and everything to do with belief. The tribe was isolated from the rest of the world so all they knew was what they saw. What they saw were people running longer, faster, and farther as they got older so this is what they believed to be true. They believed they could run 40 miles a day and so they did.”

Then the carpenter put the wood on the floor and turned to Michael, who was listening intently, and said, “When you believe, the impossible becomes possible. What you believe will become what is true. Your optimism today will determine your level of success tomorrow. Don’t look at your challenges; look up and look out into the future. Don’t focus on your circumstances. Focus on the right beliefs ...