Do you remember Jared Fogle? He was the Indiana University student who went from weighing over 400 pounds to under 200 pounds in less than a year by eating Subway sandwiches. In order to lose this tremendous amount of weight, Jared not only had to make dramatic changes in his diet, but he also had to make dramatic changes in his mind!
When he weighed 400 pounds he had to start thinking like a 200-pounder.
What’s this have to do with you??? Here’s the point: Who’s making the decisions in your life — the person you are or the person you want to be???
This past summer when Montclair State University President Susan Cole spoke at the New Student Orientation sessions, she advised, “This is not Grade 13. College is not different from high school — college is completely different from high school.”
To be successful in college, you can’t let the person you were in high school make your decisions — remember, this is NOT Grade 13! But be careful. You also can’t let the person you are right now make your decisions. To be successful in college, you have to let your decisions be made by the person you want to become. For example, if you want to be a doctor, you need to have that “doctor within you” decide if you should go to class and how much you should study. You need to start thinking and acting like that future doctor.
If you want to become a pro football player, you need to have that NFL player who’s inside you make the decision about how intensely and how frequently you should work out. You need to start thinking and acting like that future pro.
If you want to become a multi-millionaire salesperson, you need to have that “inner sales superstar” make the decisions about your daily activities. You need to start thinking and acting like that future unstoppable pro.
PROBLEM: Hanging around with people who still have that “Grade 13” mentality is going to make it even more difficult for you to think and act like that person you want to be.
WHAT CAN YOU DO STARTING RIGHT NOW? Former Montclair State basketball coach Ollie Gelston had only one rule for his players: “Be at the right place, at the right time, and do the right thing.”
It’s the same for you. If you follow Coach Gelston’s rule, you’ll experience tremendous success. Whenever you’re confused about the “right place,” or the “right time” or the “right thing” — make sure to have your choices made by the person you want to be — not by the person you are.
Remember: “This is not Grade 13.”
ANNOUNCEMENT: If you’re currently in grade 12 and you’re going to college next year — DON’T MISS THIS! I’ll be presenting a FREE College Success Seminar this Thursday (May 3) at 7:00 pm at Watchung Booksellers (54 Fairfield Street, Montclair, NJ). For information call Watchung Booksellers at (973) 744-7177.
SPECIAL HAPPY BIRTHDAY GREETINGS TO DARREN VENTRE!
Hope to see you on Thursday,
Rob Gilbert
