Henry Ford famously said:
“Whether you think you can or whether you think you can’t, you’re probably right.”
What do think?
Is he right?
Or is this just puffery?
For me, this quote got me through some tough times when everyone told me I was “crazy” for wanting to start my own internet-based business using my knowledge of Hypnosis, NLP and Brainwave Stimulation.
I know the idea doesn’t sound far-fetched in 2019 but in 1997, the internet was just getting its legs and building websites were uber-difficult compared to what is today.
I remember calling a web-development company and they quoted me ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS to build my website.
I was in my mid-twenties, newly married, just bought a house with a fresh new mortgage and was still paying my own way through school.
Getting my hands on an extra 100k did not seem like an easy task.
Then I remembered Henry Ford.
I pondered the wisdom of his quote for days, then took action.
Did I raise 100k?
NO.
Could have I raised an extra 100k in a reasonable amount of time?
Probably.
The thing you gotta remember about quotes like Henry Ford’s is that there are just as many foolish ways to apply it as there are good ones.
I decided that I could accomplish anything I set my mind too. (A BIG “thank you” to Mr. Ford for that)
So, the only thing left was to make a good decision on the best way to focus my energy.
Knowing that I wanted to have an internet-based business, it seemed more logical to simply learn how to build websites than to pay someone to do it.
And that’s what I did. I learned how to build websites.
I count it as one of the best decisions of my life.
I think Henry Ford is right BUT I do have a problem with the way most people quote him.
When most people quote Henry Ford, they say:
“Whether you think you can or whether you think you can’t, you’re right.”
The proper quote is this:
“Whether you think you can or whether you think you can’t, you’re probably right.”
Most people leave out the word “Probably” and in my opinion, they are leaving out the most important word.
I understand why people purposefully leave out the word “Probably”.
They do it because they want to eliminate any sense of doubt.
And that my friends, is what I call a “rookie mistake!”
The word “Probably” is a “grounding” word in his quote, and it encourages self-reflection.
I believe Henry Ford chose his words purposefully to remind people to stay grounded, to be appropriate and most of all…
…to be mindful of our choices.
Yes, you can probably achieve anything you set your mind too…
…but that doesn’t mean you should…
…And it does mean that it is the best course of action.
For me, the word “Probably” saved my goals from possible failure because it made me pause and think about things in a deeper way.
I thought about it for days, knowing that I could probably raise an extra 100k if I really applied myself… BUT that word “probably” made me pause and reflect on “IF” this was my best course of action.
Here’s are the two big takeaways:
1: Believe in yourself because you can do just about anything you set your mind to.
2: Choose wisely as to “How” and to “What” you set your mind too.
If you would like some assistance with either or both of those things, I suggest Meditation in Minutes or Life response Frequencies.
If you’re into hypnosis and linguistics as I am, Meditation in Minutes would be the better choice because it comes with the bonus course: “All Language is Hypnosis“.
http://nostalgic-outfield.flywheelsites.com/flow/meditation-in-minutes-enrollment
If you would rather just sit back and listen to beautiful music while you receive energetic clearing, then Life Response Frequencies is for you.
http://nostalgic-outfield.flywheelsites.com/flow/life-response-frequencies-4th-edition-sale
Thanks for reading!
Jeffrey Gignac