×5 Your Positivity and Productivity During the Pandemic

Following the crowd and behaving as the mass of humanity does will not get you into the rare-air that very few know. Legendary (or simply just happy) requires one to become a member of the anti-majority. Some of the specific unusual mentalities that are at the foundation of the way that I do my best to work and live are these:

1. To Imagine a Glorious Future is to Come Alive

Personally, if I can't keep making my tomorrows more beautiful than my todays, I don't want to live. As a matter of fact, I come to life when I build. And when I make. And when I feel the spiritual energy that is released when I progress. Imagining your next-level of heroism and then having the guts to get that dream done is, to me, why we are here.

Yes, getting into the ring brings the risks of a knockout punch. I should know because I've been struck by a bunch. And yet, isn't that part of the sport of living? And to know the victory of getting back up, though bruised and bloodied, is one of the greatest satisfactions of a courageous human existence.

2. Reaching for What Makes Your Spirit Soar is How You Become Heroic

Remaining in your Safe Harbor of The Known is a wonderful way to stunt your self-respect, while you degrade your mastery. It is in the process of pursuing your visions that the winning lives. Please don't fall too in love with the rewards that sit at the end of the journey you're on as they never are as amazing as you now think they'll be.

Embrace where you now are. Adore the micro-wins and minitriumphs. Appreciate your perfect decisions as well as your dead ends. And celebrate what you are advancing steadfastly toward your Mount Everests' is moulding you into as a leader, producer and person.

3. The Triumph is in the Try

Really important point above, I suggest with very real respect. First, you'll never get to great if you're afraid of any risk. Just not possible. Every fantasy carries with it the threat of adversity. And sometimes even tragedy. That's simply part of the calculus.

Second, and even more essential to appreciate, the real success lies in the fact that you disbelieved your doubts, ignored the naysayers and continued your climb. If you've tried and lost, you've won. And if you've tried and won, even better. God bless you.

Personally, if I can't keep making my tomorrows more beautiful than my todays, I don't want to live

4. Any Fall Breeds Increased Fearlessness

Those stuck in insecurity and scarcity and impossibility secretly hope you'll fail. Because once you do, it quietly validates their psychological philosophy that aspiring for mastery is the game of fools. And that it's best to operate within a tiny field to avoid getting stung.

What these souls don't understand is that it's in the storm that strengths are made. It's in the hard periods that we receive the chance to grow exponentially, in wisdom, honour and skill. And it's in the falls that we are schooled in the fine art of fearlessness.

5. Pessimists Are Self-Faithfulness Mentors

A pessimist is someone who looks for the calamity within every opportunity. They natively seek out what could go wrong and the reasons not to seize a possibility like a heat seeking missile whizzes towards its target. You are a possibilitarian. A POIV (Person of Immense Vision). A hopefulist and a radical enthusiast.

The more you own your power and develop the exceptional confidence that comes with making your fantasies real, the bigger your dreams will get. And when that happens, even more people will think you're weird. And foolish. And wrong.

Those who condemn you are locked in their limited beliefs and terrified of their own bigness. That magic that was awake within them when they were kids has been stuffed deep into their darkest natures through life's trials and corresponding traumas. And so, they know not what they do.

Their criticism is awesome soil within which to grow your faith in yourself. And your ironclad trust in your finest instincts. Bless them rather than cursing them, for they are helping your rise.

I hope this piece that I've handcrafted with deep care helps you stand strong and productive during these challenging times.

Love + respect, Robin

In a survey of 22,000 business people ranking top leadership gurus, Robin Sharma was #2, with Jack Welch. Sharma's books have sold millions of copies in over 60 countries. His new book is “The Leader Who Had No Title: A Modern Fable on Real Success in Business and in Life” (Simon & Schuster). Robin Sharma founded the Titan Academy and his blog is at robinsharma.com.

Photo: Sara Appelgren