“Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once 
in a while, or the light won’t come in.” – I. Asimov
Before winning his 6th Emmy.
Before launching his critically acclaimed podcast or authoring a New York Times bestseller.
Before producing the ESPN shows XMA, Fight Scienceor Sports Science.
John Brenkus was an ordinary high schooler unsure of what he wanted to do with his life, where to do it or how to get it done.
During a seemingly insignificant conversation with his English teacher, John received advice he’d never forget. “No matter what you hear, always consider the source.”
When John’s family and peers assumed he’d navigate the well-worn path toward a typical college degree, it was his advisor at the university that shared a different possibility.
The counselor suggested instead that he take classes that most interested him, that would guide him toward the career and life of his dreams. To create his own major. This freedom to think outside the box and explore what really fired him up is what fueled his passion and ultimately his future career.
When most of his peers seemed to believe the best way to propel a career forward was specializing in one thing, a director and producer John admired offered alternative advice. He encouraged John to learn everything he could about every aspect of the business he loved: From operating lighting to shooting video to editing to production. John heeded this advice and became an expert in producing entertainment. Understanding every aspect allowed him to produce a better final product and work better within a team.
Repeatedly throughout his personal and professional life, John was able to shirk assumptions about the way his day, life and career “should” go. It seems he may have just found a secret sauce that we could all benefit from sampling in our own lives: Shirk past assumptions in order to let light shine into your life in ways you never could have imagined.
(Of all my podcast guests to date, John Brenkus seems to be one of the most content in every aspect of his life. On episode #42, we discussed creating a new path, thinking bigger, heeding the right advice and finding real love. A genuine, creative and successful man shares what he’s learned along the journey… and what it could mean in your life. Don’t miss it!)
My friends, what assumptions are shaping your life? Informing your decisions? Creating your reality?
What we read, watch and listen to influence what we believe and shape the very possibilities that we see – and don’t see – in our lives.
An English teacher knew this truth. Perhaps we might all benefit from heeding the advice.
This is your day. Live Inspired.
This article was originally published on #1 National Bestselling Author of ON FIRE and Inspirational Speaker John O’Leary’s Monday Motivation blog. John inspires the R.L. Thomas Service, Inc. and we’re honored to share his inspiration with you! Get his Monday Motivation in your inbox here and enjoy his daily inspiration on Facebook, Twitter & YouTube.
You can see all of John’s Monday Motivation posts here: http://johnolearyinspires.com/tag/blog/