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Cody Alt | Feb 21, 2025

"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right." - Henry Ford

Growing up in a tiny town of 30 people in rural Montana, success felt like a distant dream. The odds were stacked against me, to be honest. Limited resources, a small town, and a feeling of "small-town limitations" could have shaped my path.

Sticking to the norm of manual labor, working in the oil field, driving semis, or fixing shit.

But something inside me refused to accept that. And that "something" was the unwavering belief in the power of my own thoughts.

I've sold hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of products online. It's a number that still surprises me sometimes. But I've never been married or bragged about it. To me, its something way more for me.

At the start of my entrepreneurship journey, I didn't think as I do now. There has been a huge change in the last decade, especially in the past three years.

A lot of it is because I want to be a better human in every aspect of life, genuinely. But a huge part is because of my girlfriend, Morgan. She pushes me in ways nobody has ever been able to do in my life, for the better.

The journey from a town of 30 to here wasn't paved with luck or some magical formula. It was built brick by brick, thought by thought. And the most crucial lesson I learned along the way is this.

Your thoughts create 98% of your problems.

Now, that might sound harsh, even a bit dismissive. But let me explain. I'm not saying that external challenges don't exist. Of course they do.

Life throws surprises, and sometimes they feel like they’re aimed right at our heads.

But it's not the events themselves that derail us. It's how we view those events and the stories we tell ourselves that really hold us back.

Think about it. Two people can experience the same challenge. This could be a business setback or a personal disappointment. But they might react very differently.

Negativity can crush some people. They may feel like they’re doomed to fail. Others might see it as a learning experience, a chance to grow and adapt. Which is what I'd recommend.

The difference isn't the obstacle; it's the story that each person decides to tell.

For me, growing up in a small town could have easily become a self-limiting story. I could have said I lacked the resources, connections, or chances to achieve anything meaningful.

And if I had believed that story, it would have become my reality.

I could have easily gone down the same path the majority of people do where I come from. You're a lifer on a ranch or doing some manual labor exchanging time on the clock for a paycheck.

But I chose a different narrative. I focused on the advantages of my situation. Doing manual labor all my life taught me the value of hard work and resilience. The limited resources forced me to be resourceful and creative. And the lack of "obvious" opportunities pushed me to seek out my own.

The turning point came when I saw that my biggest obstacle was not my situation, but my own self-doubt.

That nagging voice whispering, "Who are you to think you can achieve something big?" That voice is the enemy of progress. It's the architect of 98% of our problems.

So, how do you silence that voice? How do you rewrite your narrative and start believing in yourself? Here are a few strategies that have worked for me:

• Become aware of your inner dialogue: Start paying attention to the thoughts that run through your head. Are they positive and empowering, or negative and self-defeating? Most of us aren't even consciously aware of how often we criticize ourselves. You're either manifesting or manifucking yourself.
• Challenge your negative thoughts: When you catch yourself thinking something negative, ask yourself: Is this really true? Is there any evidence to support this thought, or is it just a story I'm telling myself? Often, you'll find that your negative thoughts are based on fear and insecurity, not on reality. They are thoughts and fears from childhood.
• Replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations: Once you've challenged a negative thought, replace it with a positive affirmation. Instead of saying, "I'm not good enough," try saying, "I am capable and I am worthy of success." It might feel awkward at first, but the more you repeat these affirmations, the more you'll start to believe them.
• Focus on your strengths: We all have weaknesses, but dwelling on them only reinforces our self-doubt. Instead, focus on your strengths and talents. What are you good at? What do you enjoy doing? When you focus on your strengths, you build confidence and momentum.
• Take small steps: Big goals can feel overwhelming, which can lead to procrastination and self-doubt. Break your goals down into smaller, more manageable steps. Each small victory will build your confidence and keep you moving forward. If you often think negatively, try to replace those thoughts. Imagine the opposite and how good it would feel if that happened. Where you would be, what you would be doing. Really FEEL that shit.
• Surround yourself with positive people: The people you spend time with have a huge impact on your mindset. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and support your dreams. Delete those who are negative and critical from your growth. They're cancer and no longer serve you.

Remember, your thoughts are incredibly powerful. They shape your reality. You have the power to choose what you think. You have the power to rewrite your story. Don't let self-doubt hold you back from achieving your dreams. Believe in yourself, I am no better than you. I go through the same things you do. But I'm obsessed about getting better and re-writing my story.

I'm living proof that even someone from a town of 30 can achieve extraordinary things. And if I can do it, so can you.

Keep believing.

Your Montana Friend,

Cody

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Have a positive week,

Cody