Becoming more than a king
with the mindset of a champion

By Simon Potter

Become more than a king by training your mindset.

“The mind is its own place, and in itself Can make a Heav’n of Hell, a Hell of Heav’n.” Those are the immortal words of John Milton, who wrote arguably one of the most influential poems in English literature when he penned Paradise Lost. Milton also wrote these equally powerful words, “He who reigns within himself and rules passions, desires, and fears is more than a king.” No truer words have ever been penned which is one reason they are still quoted today, nearly 350 years after Milton’s death. These words speak to the incredible power and importance of your mindset.

Be more than a king: control your mindset

Clearly, your mind, and your ability to control it or manage it, is one of the most important skills anyone can master. Controlling your thinking, emotions, and attitude makes you  more than a king. Classical education understood this. Here are several quotes from American founders [emphasis is mine throughout]:

• “If Virtue & Knowledge are diffused among the People, they will never be enslav’d. This will be their great Security.” – Samuel Adams, letter to James Warren, February 12, 1779
• “It is an object of vast magnitude that systems of education should be adopted and pursued which may not only diffuse a knowledge of the sciences but may implant in the minds of the American youth the principles of virtue and of liberty and inspire them with just and liberal ideas of government and with an inviolable attachment to their own country.” – Noah Webster, 
• On the Education of Youth in America“[F]or avoiding the extremes of despotism or anarchy . . . the only ground of hope must be on the morals of the people. I believe that religion is the only solid base of morals and that morals are the only possible support of free governments. [T]herefore education should teach the precepts of religion and the duties of man towards God.” – Gouverneur Morris, Penman and Signer of the Constitution.
• All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her. – George Washington
• “A Bible and a newspaper in every house, a good school in every district–all studied and appreciated as they merit–are the principal support of virtue, morality, and civil liberty.” – Benjamin Franklin

It is clear from the early writings of our founders and the writings of the early founders of our institutions for higher learning that education was more than learning to read, wRite, and do aRthmetic (the 3 Rs). Undoubtedly, mastering the triumvirate of grammar, logic, and rhetoric was vital for training one to be able to reason, problem solve, think creatively, and in essence be a master of your mind.

A King and His Education

In this education, a growth mindset was often the by-product of the educational curriculum and certainly of the up-bringing of many of those who would go on to create so many great businesses, educational institutions, scientific discoveries, art, music, and literature that made our society the freest, wealthiest, most influential society in history. Sadly, today’s educational system is far too concerned about offending someone, that it has lost its way. Furthermore, we have moved so far from these ideals that we don’t train minds any more. We don’t train the most important skill of them all – your mindset. Your very way of thinking and what you believe and value. “It is your mindset that will allow you to get knocked down by life, dust yourself off and get back in the game.”

For all those parents who are involved in home schooling your children kudos to you. You have taken on the most important, challenging, and rewarding job of a parent. I would strongly encourage you to look at how to go about training a growth mindset. It is important to understand that at its core a growth mindset is something we cultivate over time. It is fluid. The mindset of a champion is probably a better term than growth mindset.

The two quotes by John Milton, “The mind is its own place, and in itself Can make a Heav’n of Hell, a Hell of Heav’n.” and “He who reigns within himself and rules passions, desires, and fears is more than a king,” speak to the incredible value of having a winning mindset or “a mindset of a champion.”

Please consider joining our private Facebook group: Mastering Your Growth Mindset