It’s easy to look at someone else’s success and think, That could never be me. You might see someone who has built discipline, found happiness, developed strong relationships, or achieved a goal you quietly wish for, and assume they have something you don’t. Maybe it’s talent. Maybe it’s luck. Maybe it’s just being wired differently. But the truth is, while each person’s journey is unique, we are all made of the same basic materials—flesh, thought, emotion, breath, and choice.
We are all human. And because of that, what works for others may very well work for you, too—if you are willing to try with an open mind and consistent effort.
The Danger of Disqualification
When you assume that something won’t work for you, you often stop before you start. You close a door without ever testing whether it can open. This mindset can show up in subtle ways:
- “They’re just more motivated than I am.”
- “That worked for them because they’re confident.”
- “I’ve always been this way. I can’t change like that.”
- “That method wouldn’t work with my schedule, my background, my personality.”
These thoughts may feel protective, but they often serve as barriers—barriers built on fear, not fact.
What Makes Someone Succeed Is Often Not Special
Success in anything—fitness, learning, personal growth, communication—is not typically built on rare qualities. It is built on ordinary choices, repeated consistently. People who grow do so by making use of what is already available: time, energy, and the willingness to try again.
If someone becomes more disciplined, it’s because they worked at it.
If someone becomes calmer, it’s because they practiced emotional regulation.
If someone builds strong habits, it’s because they stayed with them even when it was inconvenient.
The materials they used are the same ones you have.
We All Share the Same Framework
- The same brain that resists change can learn to adapt.
- The same body that feels weak can become stronger.
- The same mind that feels scattered can develop focus.
- The same heart that feels heavy can begin to heal.
Your story, your pace, and your starting point may differ, but the building blocks are shared. Biology. Experience. Struggle. Resilience.
What worked for someone else might need to be adjusted slightly, but the core idea—the structure or principle—can still be useful. It is not about copying. It’s about exploring what could work if you believe it might.
The Role of Belief
The belief that something could work opens the door for experimentation. When you try from a place of curiosity, not cynicism, you give yourself a chance to find what fits. You don’t have to fully believe it will work. You just have to believe it’s worth trying.
If you assume nothing will help, nothing will. Not because you’re different, but because belief is the starting point of action.
How to Shift the Mindset
- Replace “That’s not for me” with “What if that could work?”
- Observe what others are doing with a learning mindset, not a comparing one.
- Try something before rejecting it—then evaluate honestly.
- Focus on the process, not the outcome.
- Give yourself time. Growth does not happen overnight.
Conclusion
You are not made of weaker parts. You are not excluded from possibility. The difference between those who change and those who stay stuck is not in what they are made of—it’s in what they believe is possible. What works for others might not be easy, but that doesn’t mean it’s out of reach. You have the same raw material: a body, a mind, and the ability to choose again. Don’t close the door on something just because it worked for someone else. Let that be proof that it might work for you, too.
