“Lessons from History: Success, Connections, and Mindset”
Hey everyone! Happy Monday!
I hope you had a refreshing weekend.
Lately, I’ve been reading and watching a lot about the events of World War 2.
It’s been sort of a personal tradition for me. Just to remember and honor those who have laid their lives for the freedom we have now.
I used to watch Band of Brothers, but this time around, I chose a different movie that’s on Netflix.
It was very insightful learning about their insights and the history of that war and I shared some of the lessons I learned from that movie with my accountability group.
Which I am also about to share with you now.
Use Small Wins to Get Ready
A lot of us think that the US was this superpower that joined the war and tipped the scales toward the side of the Allied Powers.
But when the war broke out, their soldiers had not been in combat for decades.
The military commanders thought that they needed to go through some small battles first to train their men and get them battle-ready.
Which they did when they went on the North African Campaign. They used the experience they gained in the battles to get their soldiers battle-tested for the heavier fights they were about to go through in Europe.
In our own lives, we can learn from this. When you’re starting a business or working freelance, small wins are like training sessions. Use them to build your portfolio and your business so you can be prepared to handle the bigger projects.
Connections Matter.
When the Allied forces invaded Italy, a curious thing happened. The British were engaged in fights here and there, but the Americans were going through Sicily almost unopposed.
The reason? Connections!
Some of the soldiers who enlisted were of Italian descent, particularly in Sicily. So when they arrived there, they were practically being welcomed by their relatives!
There was also a negotiation that the US military made with some members of the New York mafia who were Italians and that helped them broker a deal to get through Sicily easily.
Just like in business, having the right connections can often help you land that perfect client or project that will propel your business. Don’t forget to network and build relationships.
Mindset Matters.
One of the things that made the war difficult was when France surrendered. Based on the documentary I watched, it felt like the spirit of the French people was broken and they did not have the stamina and vigor to fight for their freedom at the time.
In contrast, the Japanese people were groomed and taught that they were a supreme race and a warrior nation. That it was an honor to die in battle and a shame to surrender.
You could only imagine how difficult the battle that went on as the Japanese soldiers were fighting with no regard for their lives.
In the battle of the Philippine Sea, the Japanese lost 400 aircraft and 400 pilots. Some of them were diving their planes towards the boats.
It only goes to show how powerful our minds and resolve can be. When we channel it towards the right things, we can achieve good things and vice versa.
As we start a new week ahead…
I hope that you take these lessons to heart and use them as motivation to get you going when you encounter tough times. Remember, small wins are training for big victories, connections can open doors, and your mindset is your superpower.
Wishing you a great week ahead!
