I believe that changing your perspective and beliefs – because of new/better evidence or a personal experience – is a sign of growth.
It means you are evolving.
It means you are adaptive.
After all, if you think or believe everything you did 5 or 10 years ago… it means you most likely are stagnate and not progressing.
If I think and believe everything at 50 (years old) that I did when I was 30… then I have had the mental cruise control on for 20 years!
Here are 10 ideas, concepts, and quotes that I used to think and believe (and used to preach and teach), but now no longer do.
- “Knowledge is power.”
Why I changed my mind:
This 1990’s PSA sounds great—but it’s incomplete. As I tell leaders and high performers, applied knowledge is what truly creates power. You can read every book, attend every seminar, and have a head full of facts, but if you don’t act—if you don’t execute or implement what you learned—none of it matters. Real growth, real results, come from doing, not just knowing. So instead of worshipping knowledge, start respecting discipline, habits, and follow-through. That’s where the power really is.
- “Just be yourself.” (advice I would give to others)
Why I changed my mind:
Telling someone to “just be yourself” might sound empowering, but it’s dangerously incomplete. A more helpful statement is, “Be your best self.” If you’re not consistently working to become the best version of yourself, then “just being yourself” could mean settling for mediocrity, excuses, or bad habits. And let’s be honest, sometimes our true self is jealous, cynical, or moody. Do we really want to show up like that? Plus, growth requires intention, effort, and accountability. High performers don’t just stay who they are—they evolve. They push boundaries, seek feedback, and pursue excellence daily. So instead of “just be yourself,” the real advice should be: be your best self—and keep leveling up.
- “I need to work smarter, not harder.”
Why I changed my mind:
The advice to “work harder, not smarter” is flat-out inaccurate. In today’s competitive world, working hard is the entry fee—it gets you in the game—but if you’re not also working smart, you’re just spinning your wheels. Hustle without strategy leads to burnout, not breakthroughs. High performers understand that effort and intention must go hand in hand. It’s not either/or—it’s both. You need the relentless grind and the disciplined focus to ensure your energy is invested in the right places. Smart work directs the hard work toward what moves the needle. That’s how real progress is made.
- “Just follow your passion.” (advice I would give to others)
Why I changed my mind:
Telling people to “follow your passion” might sound inspiring, but it’s one of the most misleading, inaccurate, and incomplete pieces of advice out there. Passion alone doesn’t guarantee success—discipline does. Passion fades when things get hard, when progress is slow, or when the work gets boring. What truly separates elite performers is the ability to stay committed and consistent, even when the excitement wears off. The better advice? Bring your passion with you—into the process, into the work, into the habits that build mastery. Don’t just follow passion—build skill, earn confidence, and let passion grow through progress.
- “We all get 24 hours in a day.”
Why I changed my mind:
Saying “we all get 24 hours in a day” is technically true—but it’s misleading. Yes, time is equal in quantity, but not in quality or control. Not everyone starts from the same place, with the same responsibilities, resources, or freedom over how they use their time. What really matters isn’t just the 24 hours—it’s how intentionally and efficiently you manage them. High performers don’t just spend time—they invest it. They protect their priorities, eliminate distractions, and align their actions with their goals. So, it’s not just about having 24 hours—it’s about what you do with them that separates average from elite. Time is equal; life circumstances are not.
- “I need to give 110%.”
Why I changed my mind:
The phrase “give 110%” might be shouted in locker rooms and motivational talks, but let’s be real—it’s inaccurate and misleading. As comedian Demetri Martin wisely said, “100% of people that give 110% don’t understand basic math.” You can’t give more than everything you have—and pretending you can sets unrealistic, unsustainable expectations. What truly matters is giving your full 100%—consistently, deliberately, and with total focus. Elite performers don’t need hype or exaggeration; they show up every day with discipline, effort, and precision. So forget chasing imaginary percentages. Master the fundamentals, give your true best, and execute at your highest level—that’s what winning really looks like.
- “Failure is not an option.”
Why I changed my mind:
The statement “failure is not an option” sounds bold and heroic—but it’s ridiculous. Failure is an option, and more importantly, it’s inevitable if you’re pushing boundaries, taking real risks, and chasing meaningful growth. Every high performer I’ve ever worked with has failed—repeatedly. Not because they’re weak, but because they’re courageous enough to stretch their limits. Failure isn’t the enemy; it’s a teacher. It sharpens focus, reveals blind spots, and fuels improvement. Avoiding failure at all costs doesn’t make you strong—it makes you stagnant. The truth is, you can’t grow if you’re not willing to fall. Real success comes from learning, adjusting, and coming back better—every single time.
- “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
Why I changed my mind:
The quote “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” might sound tough and resilient, but let’s be honest—it’s simply not true. Just because something doesn’t kill you doesn’t mean it automatically makes you better. Some experiences leave people bitter, broken, or stuck if they’re not processed the right way. Growth doesn’t come from pain alone—it comes from how you respond to that pain. It’s the intentional reflection, learning, and adaptation that creates strength—not the struggle itself. High performers don’t just survive adversity—they use it. But make no mistake: struggle isn’t a shortcut to strength. It’s the work you do after the setback that determines whether you grow or stay wounded.
- “Just be positive.” (advice I would give to others)
Why I changed my mind:
Telling someone to “just be positive” might come from a good place, but it’s bad advice—and often harmful. It dismisses real emotions, ignores valid struggles, and promotes toxic positivity, which is the denial of anything uncomfortable or difficult. The truth is, growth doesn’t come from pretending everything’s fine—it comes from facing what’s hard, sitting with discomfort, and learning from it. High performers don’t fake positivity—they pursue perspective. They acknowledge challenges, feel what they need to feel, and then choose a productive response. Relentless optimism without honesty is just avoidance. Real strength comes from balance—not blind positivity.
- “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.”
Why I changed my mind:
Even dream jobs involve stress, deadlines, and drudgery. Loving your work doesn’t erase effort—it just makes it more meaningful. Work is still work. Saying “if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life” sounds nice—but it’s complete nonsense. Even when you love what you do, it’s still work. There will be long hours, tough days, setbacks, stress, and moments where it feels like a grind. Loving your craft doesn’t eliminate the effort—it gives it purpose. High performers know that passion doesn’t replace discipline—it fuels it. The real magic happens when you show up on the days you don’t feel like it and still give your best. Loving what you do doesn’t make the work go away—it makes the hard work worth it.
In 10 years from now, I hope to have a similar list of things I currently think and believe… that I will have outgrown and evolved from!
What is something you used to believe that you no longer do?
