2011 Resolution: Believe in YOUR perception

I regularly wonder how Zuckerberg, Jobs, Page, Kawasaki, De Wever, Van Hevel yes even my own dad and brother as local Belgian entrepreneurs, look at and perceive their own reality. Great leaders and achievers often stand alone, (mostly) supported by wife and kids, filled with doubt on themselves, and the decisions they make. Entreprendre c’est decider. Decider c’est rater.

I’ve realized that making a strong game-changing decision is like having a tattoo in your face. You better be committed and take all the consequences. Our self perception is simply what we think of ourselves, and is without a doubt more important than the perception by others. A negative self-perception, Christ forbid, is the ultimate barrier preventing us from success and hinder accomplishments. `Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you're always right`, Henry Ford said. It is true though, that 3rd parties can easily disrupt any positive self-perception.

If we fail, in most cases this is because we are our own worst enemy, putting ourselves down and hence throwing ourselves into mediocrity, away from greatness (which is always within our reach and potential). I am sure that you, and our leaders have felt likes this many times. If you have felt like it, I am sure you know it and hated that feeling.

The worst part about feeling that way is that it can get you so down that you cease to do anything and accomplish nothing. Not really helping the situation! Realization that we are worthy of everything and can accomplish whatever we set our minds to, if and only if, we do not allow a negative self-perception to become our state of being and take steps to begin achieving the things we want to. Nothing and no one should be capable of interfering with that. It means your potential to success, and consequently your road to happiness!

Do you allow that others, potential carriers of negative vibes, enter your inner-circle? Impede on unleashing powers defining your true potential to success? The people we surround ourselves with are there for a reason. There is also a very good reason why we have a natural dislike towards carriers. Different people serve different purposes in my life and if you pay attention you may find your life is not much different. Maybe for 2011 as an alternative resolution, let us further categorize the people in our life. Build your inner-circle only with these elements and people that will help you unleash your greatest potential.

Rest assured that 2011 will be better than 2010. Success and self-perception, the same thing, but in a different costume.

Happy New Year!

Olivier Smekens

President, Belgian-American Chamber of Commerce