It doesn’t matter if the glass is half full or half empty. The only thing that matters is whether it quenches your thirst. In other words, does it work?
There are literally thousands of motivational speakers spouting ridiculous platitudes that do nothing more than make you feel good for the moment and have very little lasting effect. They sound good, but they don’t work. Let me prove it to you. I bet you’ve heard these lines:
“As long as you have a good, positive attitude everything will be all right.” Sorry, but that is a lie. I’ve had a positive attitude my entire life and had plenty of crap happen to me. So get a little negative. Get sick of the way things are so you will take action to change things. Get fed up; realize you deserve better and that you aren’t going to be satisfied with anything less than the best for yourself and your family. Remember: You have to get negative about your life before you can take positive action in your life.
“You can be whatever you want to be, do whatever you want to do and have whatever you want to have.” More lies. You can’t be whatever you want to be or do whatever you want to do. If you are short, fat and ugly, that supermodel thing probably isn’t going to work out for you. You can do what you have the talent for and are willing to dedicate the time and effort into becoming based on your innate potential. You can always do more than you think you can but you can’t do anything. And you certainly can’t have whatever you want. You can have whatever you believe you deserve and whatever you take action toward achieving, utilizing your abilities, your thoughts and your words.
“There are no problems, only opportunities.” This one is not only a lie – it’s just stupid. I have problems. Period. I bet you do too. And I find it insulting when someone tells me otherwise. Sometimes, there is no way to dress up the problem and call it an opportunity. Instead, face the problem. Acknowledge the problem for what it is. Then circle the wagons and tackle the problem head on.
My point? Be careful what you buy into and act upon. When you hear something, make sure it makes good sense, and then try it. If it works, run with it. If it doesn’t work, dump it and run from it.
Larry Winget is a five-time New York Times/Wall Street Journal bestselling author. He is a member of the International Speaker Hall Of Fame. He has starred in his own television series and appeared in national television commercials. Larry is a regular contributor on many television news shows on the topics of money, personal success, business and parenting. Find out more at www.larrywinget.com and follow him on facebook at Larry Winget Fan Page and on twitter @larrywinget.
Hey Larry….what do you think of the expressions:
‘If it is meant to happen, it will’ or ‘It just wasn’t meant to happen.’ ?
I am having a hard time believeing that anything is ‘meant’ to happen….things happen because of our actions and inactions….right? And the horrible uncontrollable things like disease…are certainly not ‘meant’ to happen….they just do.
Anyone out there care to comment on this?
Todd, I also don’t believe that things are just meant to happen but happen as the result of the thoughts, words and actions of people. Just like I don’t believe “it was God’s will” when a child gets cancer or any number of other atrocities that happen.
Thanks Larry….not only for taking the time..but also for consistently injecting common sense into the ‘self help’ industry…..and doing it in an entertaining way. Keep it up!
I agree with Larry…..such good sense and staying in reality. I can’t stand when people sugarcoat things and use denial as a defense (comfort) mechanism. I agree with Rupert Todd too.
Larry, I find your point of view refreshing. You’re pragmatic and down to earth. It’s easier to achieve when you’re first grounded in reality. Then your dreams can take wing.
Where would a 28 year old get help for taxes due? He started a business at 21 knowing nothing, ended up not having his employees submit 1099’s, now owes $24,000….is there any help out there? I don’t trust the IRS relief that some offer….who can he trust? He is now realizing his mistakes and wanting to change and do the right thing.
Lynn, he probably needs to find a good accountant.
Hello Larry,
I was a little surprised to read, “You can have whatever you believe you deserve” in this post. I can believe I deserve anything. I do not see the difference in that and “You can have anything”.
I know in the rest of the sentence you talk about taking actions to get it which to me is much more realistic. I do not understand how both of those statements can be used together. Why not just say, “You can have whatever you earn.”
Thanks for the thought provoking post.
Brian
Your words come as a bitter truth though, but afterall everything you mentioned is true and applies to everyone. It is not the amount of water or liquid in the glass that matters, the most important thing is the amount of the thirst an individual has. A person can grow and reach to his or her potential if he or she has the thirst for knowledge and ability to transform that knowledge into skill that eventually leads to success in any given field.
Ever heard this one? The optimist sees the glass as half full – the pessimist sees the glass as half empty – the engineer sees the glass as twice as big as it needs to be. I like to be pratical. I find if I have too much drama in my life, (such as bringing outside meaning to a situation, like how much water is in a glass) all i am trying to do is get attention and not focusing on results.
A little bird at AFM told me it was your birthday, so HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LARRY!! Thanks for the nuggets of (sometimes brutal) truth thru the years…May your whiskey be overflowing today and not “half-anything!”
A great piece Larry that folks need to hear.
It reminded me of a question I asked a client the other day. Are you a ‘whatever it takes’ guy?”
A whatever it takes guy or gal doesn’t care if the glass is half empty, half full, or anywhere in between.
Hi Larry,
Great writing. You are a wonderful protagonist! I ask clients to see “problems” as challenges – a veritable test that provokes the question – “Do I have what it takes?”, while at the same time offering perspective. How often have we complained about how bad we have it – then we are “challenged” and we realize how very good life was before that!
Thanks for your perspective.
Michelle Rober
Hello, Larry!
I had been broke before I listened your audiobooks. Now I have a job, have some money on my bank account. I’ve implemented many of your advices. I’m no longer a sugar addict. It’s really hard to believe! I exercise, I whine far less than I did in the past. But still… Sometimes I feel overwhelmed, shocked, feel like a loser, especially when I look around and realize how much time I’ve wasted and see the success of my former classmates.
I have an unrequited love… I see her, I love her, but we are just friends… I have chances, but she’s going to go abroad for study. She wants to take citizenship… I have less than two years to act boldly. Larry, how can I maintain my “mental health”? How is it possible to eliminate those negative thoughts? It seems to me that they’re stuck in my head.
Thank you, you’re a great “irritational speaker”!
I love it whenever people get together and share ideas.
Great blog, stick with it!
Larry, Kind of reminds me of the people that say “If you think about something hard and long enough it will come to you”.
Yet, they forget the most important part – the DO something part. People forget they have to get off their asses and actually make it happen.
What about ” it is what it is”!!! or “it will all work out in the end” I agree with everything you said above. I thought i was the only one that didn’t believe in these corny sayings!
I get people trying to be positive. I guess i would be called a realists.
If its a nice Adult drink who cares if its half full or half empty. In the end, there is still half to drink! Now that’s being positive!