Success Advice
The Dynamic Between Our Conscious & Subconscious Minds
A renowned speaker, business consultant, record-setting speed skier and Olympian, Vince Poscente believes in the enormous potential of the unconscious mind.
In his book ‘The Ant and The Elephant’, Poscente likens the dynamic between the conscious and subconscious minds to an ant and an elephant. He believes our minds are separated into two distinct functions – the conscious and subconscious elements. Our ant is the intentional part of the brain, but our elephant is the instinctual, impulsive part of the brain that houses emotions and memories and even guides the body to perform vital functions. While we tend to know our conscious minds – our ants – rather well, we often overlook the power of our elephantine subconscious minds. When we do, unfortunately, we squander a wellspring of human potential.
Having read too many books focused on what a problem or solution is and too few focused on how to solve the problem, I love how Poscente, with his trademark wit, wisdom and steely resolve, created ‘The Ant and the Elephant – Leadership for the Self: A Parable and Five-Step Action Plan to Transform Workplace Performance‘.
Below I have highlighted the key takeaways from his book:
Action Step #1: Find the ‘elephant buzz’.
Find the emotion that ignites your vision. Inspire through your emotion and ever underestimate the power of that emotion.
- Clarify your vision
- Make fear your friend. Not your master.
- You don’t know what you don’t know. Open your mind to discover possibilities that may not be obvious at the time.
- Zero in on a goal that has a depth of meaning. The journey has to be worth taking.
If you are working on something exciting that you really care about, you don’t have to be pushed. The vision pulls you.” – Steve Jobs
Action step #2: Stay the course.
Change is gradual. Remember the drops in the bucket to avoid frustration. Learn to delay gratification.
- Commit to cultivating positive dominant thoughts.
- Shift your beliefs, attitudes, and truths so they are aligned with your vision.
- Envision having the goal, rather than merely wanting the goal.
- Elgo’s beliefs, attitudes, and truths can be deeply held. You can change Elgo’s mind with a dedicated, focused effort. (Elgo = the elephant representative of our Impulsive side)
Action Step #3: Use gold dot reminders.
Gold dots are triggers for goals that have emotions tied to them (To remind you of your goals). Your personal gold dot must align with the gold dot of the team.
- Consistently focus on your performance.
- Experience your goal as though it were happening right now.
- Show your gratitude consistently!
Action Step #4: Institute pattern busters.
Once you recognize yourself or your team playing out the pattern of negativity, interrupt this thought by saying, “Thank you, but that is not part of my vision. My vision is…” Experience the vision in detail.
- Strengthen your confidence.
- Frustration will lead to negative thoughts. Negative thoughts add fuel to more negativity. This negativity can be a pattern that destroys your confidence.
- No two thoughts can occupy the mind at the same time. Replace negativity with positive, confident thoughts.
“You can’t live a positive life with a negative mind”
Action Step #5: Use flash cards.
Design flash cards that detail stressful scenarios. Mentally experience handling these stressful situations with ease.
- You learn how to control your response to any situation.
- Unforeseen circumstances will arise. Expect the unexpected. Anticipate your response to challenges as well as your teams.
The Five C’s:
- Clarity of vision: A goal with a depth of meaning has an emotional buzz
- Commitment: Commit to a process of positive dominant thoughts
- Consistency: Apply consistent strategies. (The bucket will turn blue)
- Confidence: Strengthen confidence by breaking negative patterns
- Control: Practice responses to the unforeseen events that may arise
Have you read ‘The Ant and The Elephant’? What did you think of it?
Change Your Mindset
You Become What You Absorb: How Input Shapes Your Life
We let the world dictate who we spend time with and what input we allow in, rarely stopping to consider the effects it’s having on us

“Input” is anything from the outside world that influences your mood, mindset, and emotional state. It includes the media you consume, the books you read, the podcasts and music you listen to, and the movies and shows you watch. But it also encompasses much more: the environment you live and work in, the conversations you have, the people you surround yourself with, and the events, personal or global, that unfold around you. (more…)
Success Advice
This Overlooked Skill Drives Real Business Growth
It strengthens relationships, enhances decision-making, and fosters trust.

In every successful leader’s toolkit, one skill stands out above the rest: the ability to listen. While good leaders are known for making confident decisions, great leaders understand that those decisions are only as strong as the information they’re based on. And that information? It comes from truly listening to their teams, peers, and even critics. (more…)
Personal Development
The Real Reason Successful People Are Never Late
More than just good manners, punctuality is a vital professional and personal trait.

How do you feel when your flight is delayed, throwing your entire schedule into chaos? Or when a patient dies due to a doctor’s tardiness? What about missing a job opportunity because your driver showed up late? And how do you react when someone walks in late without the basic courtesy of apologizing? (more…)
Personal Development
Why Humility Is the Real Superpower in Leadership
Humble leadership doesn’t mean being passive or unsure of yourself.

In today’s fast-paced, high-stakes business world, especially in industries like construction and finance, leadership is often mistaken for control, authority, or having all the answers. But the leaders who last and leave the deepest impact tend to operate from a very different place: humility. (more…)
-
Success Advice4 weeks ago
People-First Leadership: 10 Ways Modern Leaders Drive Growth
-
Personal Development3 weeks ago
Why Top Performers Create This Powerful Plan Before Taking Action
-
Success Advice3 weeks ago
Passion vs. Paycheck: The Tragic Trade-Off Too Many People Make
-
Success Advice4 weeks ago
6 Essential Tips for Business Travelers in 2025
-
Personal Development3 weeks ago
The Three-Second Pause That Changes How People Perceive You
-
Mentor2 weeks ago
The 3 Mentorship Moves Every Leader Should Master
-
Success Advice3 weeks ago
Why Visionary Leaders Are Embracing Emotional Sovereignty Worldwide
-
Shift Your Mindset2 weeks ago
10 Powerful Traits Every True Thought Leader Possesses
3 Comments