A friend of mine doesn’t watch much television. He believes that spending time watching other people live their fake lives is a huge waste of a real one.

However, he does enjoy movies that offer valuable life lessons—films like Rocky, Rudy, and Mr. Holland’s Opus. Stories that inspire and teach.

The first time he watched It’s A Wonderful Life it had a profound effect on him. He told me he cried a lot. That was the moment he realized he wanted to be like George Bailey. But when he compared his life to George’s, he saw a stark contrast.

He asked himself: If I died today, how many people would truly care? Have I done much for anyone besides myself?

That moment was a turning point. He dove headfirst into self-help books, audio programs, and seminars, determined to change. He’s the kind of person who doesn’t do things halfway—when he commits, he goes all in. His belief was simple: If you want to become more, you have to learn how.

After all, you can’t give what you don’t have.

That journey led him to the work he does today—helping others, sharing knowledge, and making an impact.

Now, he often asks people: What do you want to stand for?

He talks about books like As a Man Thinketh by James Allen, which emphasize the power of thought. He believes that we all become exactly what we think about most. Life isn’t an accident; where we end up is a direct result of our mindset.

Of course, circumstances—chance meetings, unexpected challenges, the family we’re born into—shape our journey. But despite those influences, we still get to decide where we go from here and who we become.

Even highly successful people—actors, business leaders, politicians—reach a point where they start wondering what their life truly means. They don’t want their legacy to be just the roles they played or the deals they closed. They seek purpose beyond success.

That’s because real happiness doesn’t come from wealth or fame—it comes from serving others, from having a purpose.

He always tells people: If you’re feeling stuck, anxious, or unmotivated, examine your thoughts. Are they focused only on yourself? If so, you need a bigger purpose. Set some goals. Find something meaningful beyond your own needs.

And most importantly, take it one step at a time. Don’t try to do everything at once. Read one book. Take one action. Make one change.

The key is simple: stop looking for the answer—you’re reading it now.

Help someone else. Every hour.

That could be as simple as doing your job well in this moment. By showing up and giving your best, you’re helping customers, colleagues, employers, vendors—countless people whose lives are connected to yours.

You don’t have to make a grand gesture. Just focus on being useful. When you do that, joy and fulfillment will follow.

And before you know it, everything starts to make sense.

Today’s Winning Beliefs

✔ I focus on helping others
✔ I know that my thoughts shape my reality
✔ I am a positive and optimistic person
✔ I have released all selfish thoughts and ways