This is an interesting question and my answer is going to be unusual. Most people treat that question shallowly in my estimation. Most people really do not think about a question like this, but immediately start thinking of people to name that they admire, that are famous, or that made an impact on the world. But seriously, how much of a direct influence did they have on your life or thinking? The bottom line is that your thinking is what influences your life, determines your identity and who you are. Unless someone personally mentored you, trained you, coached you, gave you an endowment, put you through school, or something that directly altered the course of your life, I would doubt that they really influenced your life that much. Now, you may admire them or they may inspire you, but I wouldn't consider that necessarily influencing your life dramatically. I look at this differently and I hope this does not appear to be narcissistic, egocentric, haughty, or arrogant because it is not meant to be and really is not at all that way.
When I think about it, what has influenced my life the most is my own thinking. I attribute my identity, station in life, flamboyancy, accomplishments, and success (or lack of it) to my thinking. We become what we think about all the time. Every accomplishment is a result of an idea or thought. Failures are due to wrong thinking and wrong influences because one is not clear and able to think for themselves. How strong are you mentally? I have listened to audios nearly every day of my life to build my knowledge base, confidence, attitude and creativity and it influenced me! I love that because I can probe the minds and learn from all the smartest people in the world without taking any time. I do it while I run, work out, drive, fly, run errands, etc. It’s the only thing that I have found where you can truly do two things at once without really being on shuffle or rotation from thing to thing. So I am the person who most influenced my life. Sorry, but it’s true and I submit to you that I believe it is true for most people. We need to be careful of what we want because we are sure to get it. Most people wish rather than decide, accept and believe with expectation in gratitude; therefore they receive the state of wishing, but not the manifested reality.
This is best stated in what I refer to as the Entrepreneur and Dream Seeker’s creed:
“You always get what you want. Your subconscious rightfully determines what energies, experiences and the people you attract—therefore the only foolproof way to know what you really want is to see what you have. There are no victims—only students. The length of time of materialization between what you want and what you have is determined by your BELIEF AND ACCEPTANCE, but eventually what you have is the real measurement of what you really want. So, by passionately believing in what doesn’t exist, you create it. And what we call the non-existent simply has not been sufficiently desired!”
That being said, let me answer the question quickly more in the way you expected it to be answered. Consistent with what I discussed above, I have to ask myself who most influenced my thinking and positive attitude. I believe this internal circuitry is developed early in life as children for most people. That’s why they need a lot of love! So I would have to credit my father, but really, my mom and Dad for a great childhood, lots of love, reasonable discipline, and encouragement without criticism). My father was a legendary football coach who built championship teams and dynasties and is in the High School Football Hall of Fame. He coached in a high school located in a poor oil refinery town where he would take troubled kids and turn them into winners and responsible citizens. He also was one of those teachers that you remember for the rest of your life because they love to teach and made it interesting, as well as taking a personal interest in their students. I know this because I have run into hundreds of people who come up to me and tell me how he impacted their lives. As a little guy, I would go to the practices, games, coaches meetings and I was even in the halftime pep talks. What an experience to see the power of positive thinking and motivation. It definitely impacted me. I remember he even use to play tapes by Bob Richards in the locker room. Remember him? He was a pole-vaulting Olympic champion, the first Wheaties spokesman, and was also a great motivational speaker.
The point of this article is no matter where in life find a mentor. Tell about your mentor.........
It's your life,
Andy
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