“Confidence can provide the momentum you need to be the person God meant you to be.”

A thought by John C. Maxwell (2013-02-15) From his book, Be A People Person: Effective Leadership Through Effective Relationships (p. 60). David C. Cook. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title of the book to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) 

I like that word momentum.  Here is what John says, “Confidence can provide the momentum you need to be the person God meant you to be. It cannot substitute for character, or skill, or knowledge, but it enhances these qualities so that you can be a person who makes a difference. When you have knowledge or skill and the momentum that confidence brings, then things begin to happen in your relationships.”

He gives an illustration, “The largest locomotive in the New York Central system, while standing still, can be prevented from moving by a single one-inch block of wood placed in front of each of the eight drive wheels! The same locomotive, moving at 100 miles per hour, can crash through a wall of steel-reinforced concrete five feet thick. The only difference is momentum. Confidence gives you the momentum that makes the difference.”

He goes on, “You remember the childhood story about the train engine that did because she thought she could. Some of the larger engines were defeated when they saw the hill. Then came the little train hustling down the track repeating to herself, ‘I think I can, I think I can, I think I can …’ and she began to pass all the other locomotives who were saying, ‘It can’t be done.’ As she got closer to the top her speed got slower and slower, but as she reached the crest, she said, ‘I thought I could, I thought I could, I thought I could …’ The little engine made it, but not because she had more power or skills. The little engine made it because she thought she could; she had more confidence.”

John then says, “Many times we feel like little insignificant engines. But if we hone our skills and talents, then add a good dose of confidence, we can climb hills and overcome obstacles and barriers that could have stopped us dead in our tracks. Why pull off the track and stop when we can conquer those mountains with the momentum of confidence in our engines?”

So what mountain are you facing today?