The mind launches a thousand dreams. The heart keeps those dreams alive. The actions of the dreamer will determine the success of those dreams.

Developing a successful life comes from this simple formula. The struggle for most of us lies in that first step. Determining the thoughts and controlling the mind keep many people grounded so fast to the world that not even imagination can fly.

What directs your mind?

The things that sit in my mind today and the things that I allow into my mind this moment will be the very things that direct and determine my actions tomorrow. No seed takes root in my mind by accident. Each seed is allowed into my thoughts by what I chose to hear, to see and even to speak. The seed is then left to cultivate and grow giving birth to each of my eventual actions.

Many years ago, I spent several months working down in Jacksonville, Florida at the Naval Air Station Cecil Field. All day, every day, I heard the colorful vocabulary of the sailors. I came home to visit with my mom towards the end of that experience. I still have no idea what I managed to let slide out of my lips, but it was bad enough to make my mother change colors.

I had let things into my mind that eventually began to direct my speech – and it was NOT a pretty site. It took many months and lots of careful words to begin retraining my mouth to avoid that same colorful vocabulary in which I had become comfortable. When I spend too much time around that color even to this day, I can feel my words slipping back into old habits. Guarding my mind has to be something I do on a consistent and daily basis.

I know that I win or lose based on my mindset. If I think that I can or if I think that I can’t then I am right. The path that I have set my mind down will be the path that I take. Nothing I do can be done without first being directed by the mind.

What are you thinking today?

A person that wants success must think about that success and then pursue that success without being deterred by the world.

Dr. Seuss was turned down by 20 publishers because they had never seen children’s books written that way. He pursued his desire until someone did see.

Larry Byrd was benched for his freshman year in college. He pursued his dream until others began to recognize the gift in him.

Colonel Sanders was 65 years old before pursuing his dream. He understood that age does not determine the ability to dream. He offered his recipe to restaurants for free and received over 1000 rejections but kept knocking until another recognized and accepted his vision.

Choose today to begin thinking about the success that you desire and then formulate actions that will allow your new thinking to direct you to that success.