A few days ago, while driving from Berlin to the south of Germany, I realized something interesting. After talking on the phone with three wonderful friends during the drive, it became clear to me that all of them are facing the same challenge—just in different areas of life.
One has stress at work.
Another has stress in his relationship.
And the third has stress with money.
And no—the stress itself is not the real challenge. The true challenge is that everyday life feels so overwhelming for all three of them that they often struggle to focus on anything good or beautiful in their lives. Do you recognize that? Are you still dreaming—or just functioning?
Situations keep showing up in our lives that occupy our thoughts intensely. When your bank account was full, a bill was simply another letter in the mailbox. When your account went into the negative, that same “ordinary” letter suddenly became a threat. The thoughts at the beginning of a relationship are very different from the thoughts at the end of one.
We don’t focus on life itself—we focus on the life we consciously perceive through our thoughts about it. Yes, I say consciously perceive. Because no one forces us to think about something in a certain way.
Viktor Frankl, who survived the Holocaust, wrote in his book „Man’s Search for Meaning“:
“They can take everything from me except my ability to choose my attitude.” You are responsible for the choice of your thoughts. Interestingly, the negative is always available. And the positive is always available too. The only question is: What do you choose?
If you define your current situation as something bad, your mind will revolve around the negative. You will see, hear, and experience things that confirm exactly that negativity. And it works the same way the other way around. If you choose to see the good in a situation, you will begin to notice more and more that reinforces that good. But how do you shift your thoughts in difficult moments? What can you do when the little voice in your head keeps talking negatively and you can’t get off the mental carousel?
You need an environment where you’re allowed to dream again. An environment that invites you to see your situation from a new perspective. Do you have such an environment? Or do your friends keep reinforcing the same negative narrative? When you meet, do you talk about problems—or about dreams and goals?
During the Leadership Cruise a few weeks ago, I met the medium Gary Spivey. “I often remember my tomorrow,” he said with a grin. “Dreams are a preview of the future. How often do you allow yourself to dream?” Yes—how often do we allow ourselves to dream? The bigger the challenges seem on the outside, the less free, creative, and open we become for dreaming. Because first, we think, we have to solve the hard facts. But who or what created those facts? Exactly. You—with your thoughts.
Everything you see around you in your office or home didn’t fall from the sky. It was first the idea of a human being. And from that idea, reality was created. The couch. The desk. The laptop. The phone. So as long as you stay on a negative track and keep thinking in the same direction, your reality will remain the same. Where do you have the opportunity to think bigger?
This coming Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in Sindelfingen, Germany. My dear musician friend Mazze Wiesner and I have created a unique program that invites you to question your everyday perspective—and think differently. You’ll receive impulses for your mind. Because only what you understand can you truly change. And you’ll receive nourishment for your heart.
Because Mazze’s beautiful music combined with my words creates something truly magical.
And the best part: It’s one of the rare public events—and you can still attend live. If you’re looking for a new star to guide you, this Thursday is a wonderful opportunity. The event takes place at the Mercedes-Benz Customer Center—where there are already plenty of stars. And perhaps you’ll discover a new star within your own heart and return home with a completely different radiance.
Will I see you on Thursday in Sindelfingen?
