I have a decided heart.
This epitomizes the fourth decision.
In “The Seven Decisions,” Andy Andrews writes, “A decided heart is unwavering in the face of continual challenges and setbacks, and that ensures victory and a lifetime of greater fulfillment.”
We are no longer to get caught up in analyzing things indefinitely. If we do, we will suffer from “paralysis by analysis.”
Until we make a decision, we are blown back and forth by the opinions and winds of the times.
The reason for analysis is to come up with a conclusion, then act.
Lessons From Christopher Columbus
Columbus wanted to find a new route to India, China, Japan, and the Spice Islands.
He believed that he could find this route by sailing West.
Portugal, England, and France all turned Columbus down for various reasons. It took him nearly 20 years to find someone that would finance his expedition. That would be the Spanish monarchs.
As told in “The Traveler’s Gift,” Columbus was sure that they would find land and find it soon.
What would motivate a man to spend nearly 20 years of his life trying to get financing for his voyage? It was his decided heart.
Columbus did not reach India or the other countries he sailed to find. He was a man that had his failings.
One thing that stands out is that he did not let the opinions of others affect him.
Thriving On Rejection
Few know the story behind Andy Andrews’s attempt to get “The Traveler’s Gift” published.
Like Columbus and his nearly 20-year search to find someone to back him, Andy Andrews received 51 rejection letters until a publisher decided to publish the book.
Talk about having a decided heart!
- Best Selling Rejected Books*
- The Help by Kathryn Stockett: 60 times
- Carrie by Stephen King: 30 times
- Lord of the Flies by William Golding: 22 times
- The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank: 16 times
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J. K. Rowling: 12 times
Creating A New Self-Image
Take a sheet of paper and fold it in half, long ways.
On the left side of the page, write the word “negative.”
On the right side of the page, write the word “positive.”
Write out 5 “negative” beliefs you have about yourself.
Then, on the right side of the page, come up with a positive for each of those beliefs.
On page 95 of “The Seven Decisions,” Andy writes, “If you have a negative belief that says, ‘I’m too old to be creative and inventive,’ you might change it to, ‘My age gives me the wisdom and gift of creativity and invention.'”
To help you cement these new positive beliefs, read them each day for the next 30 days.
