Proverbs 23: 7, Matthew 12: 34

James Galloway

I heard a phrase that I have made a decision to engage with in such a way that it is beginning to change my life completely from the inside out. The phrase is:

'Sometimes the limitations you are willing to accept establish the boundaries of your existence.'

On hearing this I began to analyse how I conduct myself, my paradigms, my working practise and even my relationships. It began to dawn on me that 'aspiration' is possibly missing from the generation of which I am apart of.

It is interesting that I say this as TV and other forms of media are constantly promoting the fact that 'Britain has got talent' or we must find the 'X-Factor'. But this is not necessarily what I am commenting on. I refer to the generational boundaries that we have allowed to restrict our vision of the future.

I love Stoke on Trent! In my opinion it is the best city on the planet. One of the great things about this city is the fantastic sense of community and close family networks. However, is it possible that we have allowed such a positive dimension of our culture to limit our success in the future?

When reading the press or listening to the radio I often hear the same pattern of thought which constantly perpetuates the same mindset. This mindset infers that because it has always been this way, it always will be.

This is the place where we inherit limitations, thus establishing the boundaries of our existence.

I believe that the next generation doesn't have to live below the ceiling of the previous generation. If we are to breakthrough to new horizons as a city could I suggest the following strategy:

Firstly, learn to be creative and think differently. It's like the little girl who asked her mum one Christmas why she cut the sides off the turkey before it went in the oven. Her mother simply replied, 'Because Mum did it'. The girl thought about this and then asked Gran the same question, to which Gran replied, 'Because Mum did it.' After even much more thought, as they were sat around Christmas dinner, the little girl turned to Great Gran and politely asked, 'Great Gran, why did you cut the sides off the turkey before placing it in the oven to roast?' Great Gran pondered and answered, 'My dear child, our ovens were small back then so it was the only way the turkey would fit in why they do it now I have no idea. Have you seen the size of the ovens nowadays?'

All because our parents thought that way doesn't mean we have to adopt the same philosophy. The Bible says, 'As a man thinketh, so he is'. How about we change the way we think?

Secondly, refuse to believe in the word 'can't'. Again, the Bible says, 'From the overflow of our heart, the mouth speaks.' Using the word 'can't' immediately puts a stop on progress. Even our armed services understand this and thus ban the word 'can't' in their training regimes.

Adidas recently ran an advertising campaign entitled 'Impossible is Nothing'. I agree. We should adopt this philosophy then our perception of life and the city in which we live takes on a whole new look.

And thirdly, it is easy to be a sceptic but it takes courage and tenacity to believe. After watching the model set by our football team, Stoke City this season, we must understand that accepting defeat results in defeat but refusing to lie down and listen to the sceptic creates a passion and resilience that sees even the mighty conquered. That David and Goliath philosophy, that is prepared to believe in taking the steps that are required to see change embraced. Our future is bright if we are brave enough to believe.

Aim at nothing and success is guaranteed. Aim at 110% and a just miss results in a great achievement. Maybe there is a new generation in town that is refusing to accept past limitations.