Baldo Minaudo’s Blog

I was driving my mom to the doctor’s yesterday and I was sharing with her the details about an individual that was acting in an unethical and perhaps illegal manner.  Certainly, it hasn’t been the first time I’ve come across such an individual in business and probably won’t be the last. 

In our Sicilian dialect, my mother turns to me and says “Son you’re too sincere, not everyone is like you”.  It’s not the first time she’s said that to me and she’s right.  But, then she continued to say that “everyone in this city are like that these days.”  That part I didn’t like, perhaps because she feels that way, or perhaps because there could be a lot of truth in what she spoke. 

So, I immediately replied that not everyone is like that.  It was at that moment that she challenged me, “Show me someone else sincere in this city.” 

Here’s the challenge I face, I’m to find someone that I don’t already know such as a childhood friend or family member who is sincere, has not only integrity but integrity based on values of being truthful, honest, responsible and accountable.  Turns out that sincerity also involves admitting who you are, what you’re about, what  you’re capable of doing and taking full responsibility for your life.  Well, it’s a tall order, but isn’t that what everyone is supposed to be like?  I mean what’s the alternative?

Now, there’s a lesson to be learned here and being able to avoid individuals that are insincere and problematic.  Here is what you should be looking for:

- individuals that have a series of failed personal and business relationships and in which they always blame the other person

- individuals that use their past circumstances or challenges to excuse their inadequacies

- individuals that are always talking about themselves and never considering the other person

- individuals that have family problems

- individuals that resort to selective hearing, reading or memory in order to justify what it is that they want.  One of my friends claims this is one of the signs of a sociopath.

You probably get the idea now.  I’m not saying that each one of these items would classify someone as insincere or problematic, but they are flags and worth looking into further before you enter into any type of personal or business relationship with that person.

Do you know a sincere person I can meet?

No one is perfect, but it doesn’t mean we can’t be good people, responsible for our own actions and caring for others.

Napoleon Hill writes that “Thoughts Are Things”. 

Thoughts carry with them ideas, beliefs and even feelings.  Thoughts are at the core of The Law of Attraction.  Thoughts are the building blocks of the vision you have for your future and therefore that which you will manifest.

Be selective, be careful in the thoughts you hold.  Protect them with all your intention.  Know what you want and then choose those thoughts that support what you want.

In Think and Grow Rich, Hill cites Edwin C. Barnes and his quest to be Thomas Edison’s associate.  During his journey he kept his thoughts and vision even though he began working in Edison’s office at a very nominal wage.  Yet, he had what he needed to move towards his goal, which he later achieved.

Thoughts are things, and the more passion and feeling we associate with thoughts the greater the power they have.  What thoughts are you holding to help you with your success?