Michael Fox Coaching Free Community

In a bustling town, there lived a carpenter named Elias. He was known for his skill in building houses, but as the years passed, his work began to lose its spark. The houses he built still stood strong, but something was missing—they lacked the beauty and creativity of his earlier work.

One evening, as Elias sat by the fire, an old mentor, Master Tobias, came to visit. Tobias had retired years ago but was still revered for the incredible structures he had built.

“You seem troubled, Elias,” Tobias said, sitting down.

Elias sighed. “I feel stuck. My work has become routine. No matter how hard I try, my houses feel lifeless. I don’t know what’s wrong.”

Tobias nodded thoughtfully. “Tell me, Elias—before you start building a house, what do you see in your mind?”

Elias hesitated. “I… I think about the foundation, the walls, the roof. I worry about whether I’ll meet the deadline, or if the materials will hold up. Lately, I focus on getting the job done, nothing more.”

“There’s your problem,” Tobias said with a smile. “You’re building without a blueprint of what you truly want to create. You see, every great structure begins in the mind. If you focus only on problems, your work will reflect that. But if you imagine something extraordinary—if you can see the finished masterpiece in your mind before you even pick up a tool—you’ll build something remarkable.”

Building Differently

The next morning, Elias decided to try something new. Before starting work, he sat quietly and closed his eyes. He imagined a house so beautiful it made his heart race—a home with elegant arches, sunlit windows, and intricate carvings. He visualized every detail, down to the warmth of the wood and the joy of the family who would live there.

When he began building, something shifted. His hands moved with purpose, guided by the vision in his mind. Problems still arose—materials ran short, the weather turned sour—but Elias didn’t lose focus. He kept the image of the finished house clear in his mind.

Months later, when the house was complete, it was unlike anything the town had ever seen. People came from far and wide to admire it. Elias felt a sense of pride and fulfillment he hadn’t felt in years.

The Lesson

Tobias returned to see the house and smiled. “Now you understand,” he said. “The greatest secret is this: we become what we think about. Your mind is the blueprint for your life. If you think small, you’ll create small things. But if you dare to dream big and hold that vision, you’ll build wonders.”

From that day on, Elias approached every project—and every challenge in life—with a clear vision of the masterpiece he wanted to create. And his work, once ordinary, became extraordinary.

What Will You Build?

Your life is like Elias’s houses—what you create will always reflect the blueprint in your mind. So, the question is: Are you building with vision, or just going through the motions?