I have recently been  preoccupied with the the thought of why some people achieve on a higher level than others. What is intriguing to me about this subject is that it really has little to do with ability in the normal way that we think of ability. When I think about this word ability I think about what we commonly call a disability( a person because  of some physical or mental handicap not being able to do something or to  function in the way that others are able to). There are  many people in the world whose only disability is in there mind.
The mind is a very powerful force , this is a reality. When I look at individuals I am often baffled by what I observe. I see many individuals who have every advantage in life who are unproductive , while others individuals who are at a great disadvantage do much more with there disability than able bodied person even attempts to do.

By now I know many of us have seen individuals who despite there disability are very positive people, while others without any physical or mental disabilities are very unhappy in life. This all addresses what one of my mentors W. Clement Stone would call PMA or Positive Mental Attitude. What I really want to know is why this PMA seems to be totally absent in some people while others seem to possess it naturally. The question is can PMA be developed and if so how.

If you are like me and most people I know your state of mind fluctuates and can be  influenced by others. PMA thrives in a positive environment  and struggles in a negative one. A key point that I have found in the life’s of the disabled who possess PMA is that in most cases they have had family members and supporters who possess and have passed on to them a strong Positive Mental Attitude. Many will say that there parents and siblings told them that even though they had a disability blindness etc, they were no different and could do whatever they wanted to do in life.

The next thing that I found in the disabled that achieved much more than those who are able bodied and have no mental problems is that they all found some thing they were good at and focused on that skill or talent to the point they became exceptional.

These two things combined made a major difference in these individuals and everyone else in the world who have achieved anything. And these two thing can make a major difference in your life as they have in my life. Recently I have made a decision to change my support group and environment. I have had to do this several times in life. If it ain’t working, it ain’t working. I am sure that I will see a marked difference in my level of achievement and overall satisfaction with life and an increase in productivity as a result. Growth requires both sacrifice and change.

It took me some time to discover these simple facts because we have a tendency to always think that our success and our mental attitude are produced because of something or someone other than ourselves. The truth is  it’s what we do about life that makes the difference.

Do you want to be a more powerful person who makes a difference in the world, one who is a positive influence on others. Check your PMA and look around you to see if anything is blocking that smile on your face and the faith in your heart. Those who have overcome much more to achieve there dreams ( the so called disabled) leave us no excuse. Go for your dreams and eliminate anything and anyone that gets in your way.