I could be the wealthiest person on the planet “if only” I had been the one to invent computers. Of course I would have needed to know what a computer was but let’s not get bogged down in facts.
I could have invented Facebook “if only” I had that darn computer.
“If only” I could have gotten a break here or there everything could have been different.
When I hear people using “if” in that context, followed immediately with “only,” I frankly feel kinda bad for them. I feel bad for them because they apparently didn’t have anyone to tell them that “if” in that form is a self-created obstacle that the most successful people don’t allow to enter their vocabulary.
This is a hard reality but the fact is less successful people use the “if only” phrase way too often, I suspect they think it even more than they say it. “If only” absolutely crushes possibilities and binds us with limitations. The mindset of “if only” provides a ready excuse and I don’t know about you but when I have a ready made excuse I tend to use it.
The most successful people use if from time to time as well but they don’t have only behind it they have “what” in front of it. As in “What If.”
“What if” opens up a world of possibilities. I can’t imagine a good idea that wouldn’t have began with at least the thought of “what if” even if it wasn’t spoken out loud. When you develop the “what if” mindset you give yourself the opportunity to accomplish anything.
“What if” you weren’t afraid to fail? What would you be doing differently this very day?
“What if” is the start of change, it changes the status quo and is the beginning of the destruction of every limitation there ever was. “What if” you just decided to risk showing the world exactly who you are? “What if” the real you was the best person ever?
“What if” explodes a world of opportunity from the “if only” shell that hides it all away.
The next time you hear someone say “if only” do them a huge favor and ask them “what if” in return. You just might change their life!