In order to change the world, you need to change your mind.

This is a line, which is almost lost in the finale of a great musical by the name of Kinky Boots. I can assure you that once you think about it, you will realise how powerful it is. I often incorporate it into my work as a business mentor.

I was reminded of the phrase earlier this week for two reasons. First, on a personal note, I have had to overcome a personal challenge. Things were not going right. I looked around for external inspiration. Nothing has really fitted the ticket.

It was only when I appreciated that the change had to come from me, somehow, did I begin to edge forward. All very painful, and not so simple.

At about the same time up popped a commentary on one of Will Smith’s little videos. He has a knack of summarizing complex subjects in a couple of minutes.

Self discipline is the center of all material success. You cannot win the war against the world if you cannot win the war against your own mind.

It is not that people are born with more self-discipline. It is that others have learnt to adopt more resilience to outside pressures and interference. For them, those grey clouds in our minds barely exist. Why? Well that can be to do with our upbringing or otherwise, but it is something that can be learnt and adapted.

I would like to take this concept one stage further. Ironically (?) yesterday, I was reading about exercises or postures that will either make us feel or be perceived as more confident. It could something as basic as smiling more often or listening to a motivational song.

The tip that most strikes a cord with me is that so many of us hold ourselves incorrectly, and I am not writing as a chiropractor. We tend to slouch when sitting or drop our shoulders as we walk. The truth is that when you sit or walk tall, you feel better. You talk more positively. You radiate an aurora of confidence, which impact on others.

Now I challenge you. Just how much are these tips worth to you in generating more value out of what you are trying to achieve at work or elsewhere?