by Craig Thompson
"Be diligent as long as you live, always doing more than is commanded of you. Do not misuse your time while following your heart, for it is offensive to the soul to waste one's time. Do not lose the daily opportunity to increase that which you have"
The above statement, drawn from the wisdom and teachings of ancient Egypt, captures the essence of how we should strive to live. Far too many of us refuse to take advantage of our talents, time and potential. It is critical that we reach for all that the universe has to offer, realizing that time is the most important resource or the most dangerous enemy we will ever face.
How do we do it? How do we break the chains of mental and emotional imprisonment to bring forth a new reality for ourselves and those who follow? The answer is simple: Don't stop 'til you get enough!
There is a burning desire in all of us to succeed. Unfortunately, most of us do not ignite that fire and light our paths to success. These five suggestions are offered to stimulate our collective thoughts and desires and inspire us to realize our goals:
- FORGET THE OLD WAY - My good friend and fellow columnist Richard Rowe often says, "the definition of stupid is simple. Do the same thing over and over, and expect different results." If the methods we used in the past don't work any longer, eliminate them! Never be afraid to learn and attempt something new.
- OFFER YOUR SERVICES - Don't wait for others to approach you and ask for your talent. We all have to search and discover new ways to build relationships and broaden our base of support. Success = Goal + Aggressive Pursuit
- CREATE A NICHE - The best way to be recognized by others is to be different from others. Find out what your unique talents are, and show them to the world!
- UNDERSTAND YOUR LIMITATIONS - Although we should strive daily for personal excellence and daily victories, we should never over-extend ourselves. To do so would render us unproductive, because time will not allow us to do everything for everyone.
- STUDY - As we move forward in our lives, we can and must never lose sight of the importance of studying. READ! READ! READ! Develop a clear understanding of yourself, your surroundings and your potential.
As you will notice, suggestions are offered in the form of an acrostic, with the first letter of each suggestion spelling out the word FOCUS. The establishment of any plan or strategy for success will never be realized if we do not remain focused on our goals. A great philosopher once stated "if the mind is enslaved, the body can never be free."
If we do not liberate our minds from the barrage of negative images and short-sighted people who stifle our progress, we will never fully unlock our potential for greatness. We have to make it happen - and when you feel the urge to quit, don't stop 'til you get enough!!
Craig Thompson is an attorney, lecturer, writer and host of weekly radio and television shows. At age 32, Craig is a highly sought after public speaker, addressing topics such as leadership, goal setting and self-esteem. He has spoken across the country at churches, schools, colleges and to civic organizations. He can be reached at cathompson42001@yahoo.com
