Life is only as good as your mindset

Thinking, Perspective, Attitude and Mindset all affects our lives one way or the other. Let me tell you a short story. Many years ago two salesmen were sent by a British shoe manufacturer to Africa to investigate and report back on market potential. The first salesman reported back, "There is no potential here - nobody wears shoes." The second salesman reported back, "There is massive potential here - nobody wears shoes." This simple short story provides one of the best examples of how a single situation may be viewed in two quite different ways - negatively or positively.

Another story is "The Elephant Mindset". One guy was passing the elephants, he suddenly stopped, confused by the fact that these huge creatures were being held by only a rope tied to their legs. It was obvious that the elephants could, at anytime, break away from the ropes they were tied to but for some reason, they did not. He saw a trainer nearby and asked why these beautiful, magnificent animals just stood there and made no attempt to get away. "Well", trainer said, "when they are very young and much smaller we use the same size rope to tie them and at the age, its enough to hold them, as they grow up, they are conditioned to believe they cannot break away. they believe the rope can still hold them, so they never try to break free."

He was amazed. These animals could at any time break free from their bonds but because they believed they couldn't, they were stuck right where they were. Their powerful and gigantic creature has limited its present abilities by the limitations of its past. Like the elephants, how many of us go through life holding onto a belief that we cannot do something, simply because we failed at it once before? how many of us refuse to attempt something new and challenging because of our so called mindset?

And one more story of mindset. Two men visit a Zen master. The first man says: “I’m thinking of moving to this town. What’s it like?” The Zen master asks: “What was your old town like?” The first man responds: “It was dreadful. Everyone was hateful. I hated it.” The Zen master says: “This town is very much the same. I don’t think you should move here.” The first man leaves and the second man comes in. The second man says: “I’m thinking of moving to this town. What’s it like?” The Zen master asks: “What was your old town like?”The second man responds: “It was wonderful. Everyone was friendly and I was happy. Just interested in a change now.” The Zen master says: “This town is very much the same. I think you will like it here.” When I read that story, I always like to imagine that the two men came from the same town. The easiest way to improve your life is to change your perspective. Does that always make it the best way? I don’t know.

And now final story of the article on mindset again. A statement from an Amazon delivery boy changed my perspective. Message flashed about the delivery of my package and I waited eagerly for the doorbell to ring. Anil(delivery boy) called me and estimated the arrival time. After a while I heard the doorbell and dashed towards the door where Anil handed me the package and I paid. Now comes the interesting part. The amount was 3699 ? to which I gave him 3700 ?. He counted it twice and nodded as a gesture of approval.

I was about to go inside when he interrupted me and said - Sir, aap apne chutte bhul gaye. (Sir, you forgot your change.) I was surprised because - It was only 1 rupee. No delivery boy has ever given me the change back (until and unless its above threshold) as they tend to keep it. I smiled and said - Bhaiya, aap rakh lijiye. (Brother, you keep it.)

I'm quoting verbatim what Anil said - Sir 1 ? h to kya hua, kisi ne iske liye mehnat to ki hogi na. Aap kisi aise ko de dena jisko iski zarurat ho. (Sir, so what if it's just a penny, someone has worked hard for it. Give it to someone who is in need.) I was astounded after listening that. All I could do was hug him as he refused my offer for water. People like Anil work so damn hard just for 15,000 ? (maximum) delivering more than 60 packages a day with very less incentives. Taking an average of 50 packages a day with an estimation of 2 ? as a tip, they could get 100 ? as a tip for the day.

After a week or two I saw him delivering few packages in my campus. We talked and he told me he got a raise as he was most consistent in his work compared to others. What he taught me? Value of one rupee. What I learned from him ? Importance of hard work. Being independent and satisfied. After this incident, I always count the change. Proudly ask for change even if it's just a rupee, because my parents worked hard for it. Be true to yourself and God will always help you. But it sure should be the first thing you try. Cheers!