Deep philosophy often requires a simple metaphor. The following article presents the main teachings of a leadership expert Simon Sinek to five actionable rules for developing an “infinite mindset”—a perspective that prioritizes long-term resilience, deep relationships, and meaningful work over short-term burnout.
There are two ways of seeing the world.
Some people see what they want. Other people see something that prevents them from getting what they want.
There is a wonderful story of two foresters. Every morning they start cutting firewood at the same time. Every evening they stop at exactly the same time. But every day one of the logs disappears for an hour in the middle of the day. Still, at the end of the day, a logger who takes a break will always cut more wood than if he worked straight through.
After months, the tired woodcutter finally asks: “I don’t understand, you disappear for an hour every day, you chop more wood than me, where are you going?”
Another forester smiles and says, “I’ll go home and sharpen the ax.”
If you have an infinite mindset, you will realize that success is not about how many blind crushes you can crush every day. It’s about how much you can achieve in a career or lifetime. You should go on vacation. You must turn off your phone. You need to sharpen your ax.
Here are five rules to help you find your spark, sharpen your ax, and bring your limitless ideas to life.
Rule 1: Look at the bagel, not the line
Years ago, a friend and I ran a race in Central Park. At the finish line, a sponsor would give away free pretzels. On one side, volunteers distributed food; on the other side, a huge, snaking line of helpless runners awaited.
“Let’s get a bagel,” I said to my friend. He looked at the crowd and said, “The line is too long.” Me: “A single bagel?” I said. He shook his head. “I don’t want to wait in line.”
That’s when I realized the difference in how people view opportunities. He could only see the line. I only saw pretzels. I stepped into line, leaned between the two men, reached into the box, and pulled out two pretzels.
Nobody got mad. Why? Because you can go after what you want in life, as long as you don’t deny anyone else the ability to go after what they want. No need to wait in line. You can break the rules. As long as you don’t get in the way of others, you can do it yourself.
Rule 2: Be the last to speak
Nelson Mandela is recognized as one of the greatest leaders in modern history. When asked how he learned leadership, he credited his father, who was a tribal chief. Mandela remembered two things about his father’s tribal meetings: they always sat in a circle and his father was always the last to speak.
You are told that you have to learn to listen all your life. But the real mastery is learning to be last.
All over the world, leaders walk into boardrooms and say, “Here’s the problem, this is what I’m thinking, but I’m interested in your opinion.” By then, it’s too late. The room was biased.
Keeping your opinion until others speak does two things:
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It gives others the feeling that they have been heard and contributed.
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You will benefit greatly from hearing all the information and perspectives before making your final decision.
Do not agree or nod while others are speaking. Sit down, take it all in, ask specific questions and wait your turn.
Rule 3: The ceramic mug is not for you
The former deputy minister of defense was invited to speak at a large-scale conference. He stood on stage with a cup of cheap foam coffee in hand, left the script and shared his story.
“Last year,” he said, “I was still the deputy secretary. They brought me here in business class. A car was waiting for me at the airport. They checked me into my hotel and the next morning a driver took me to the backstage entrance where someone handed me a nice ceramic cup of coffee.
He took a sip from his cup of foam. “I’m no longer a deputy secretary. I took a coach, got in a taxi, checked myself in, and walked through the front doors of this place. When I asked for coffee, someone pointed to a machine around the corner, and I poured it myself into this styrofoam cup.”
His lesson was profound: “The ceramic bowl was never meant for me. It was meant for the position I hold. I deserve a styrofoam cup.”
If you get luck, career and success, people will treat you well. They open doors and give you free stuff. Enjoy the privileges, but be very humble. Know that they are not meant for you; they are meant for your title. You will only ever deserve a styrofoam cup.
Rule 4: Take Responsibility (Sometimes You’re the Problem)
In the 18th century, “purple fever” devastated Europe and America. Women died in appalling numbers within 48 hours of giving birth – in some hospitals the death rate was as high as 70%.
Doctors and scientists were amazed. They would autopsie the victims in the morning and then deliver the babies in the afternoon. Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes proposed the unthinkable in the mid-1800s: doctors were killing women for not washing their hands.
The medical community ignored and ridiculed him for 30 years. Finally, they realized that he was right. When they began to wash their hands, the black death of birth disappeared.
The lesson is hard, but necessary: Sometimes the problem is you. If you refuse to take responsibility for what goes wrong, you can’t take credit for everything that goes right in your life. If your entire team is struggling, they probably aren’t. Maybe it’s your leadership.
Rule 5: Learn to ask for help
When asked what kind of person passes the grueling BUD/S challenge, the former Navy SEAL couldn’t answer. But he knew exactly who he could not reach.
Guys with bulging muscles covered in tattoos wanted to prove how tough they were, he said. Star college athletes who were never tested never succeeded.
Those who made it were often thin and sometimes trembling with fear. But when they were physically and emotionally spent, with absolutely nothing left in the tank, they somehow found the strength to help the guy next to them.
The world is very dangerous and it is difficult to overcome it alone. Practice asking for help when you stay and accept it immediately when offered. When you drop the facade of having it all under control, you’ll find an army of people ready to rush in and support you.
The bottom line
Working hard for something we don’t care about is called stress. Working hard for something we love is called passion.
If you want to build a career defined by passion, stop waiting in line. Practice empathy, be the last to speak, ask for help, and always remember to sharpen your ax.
