The Purpose-Driven Life by Rick Warren
A Book Summary
Tag: personal growth
“Say ‘YES’ to your Potential” (a Self Help Book by Skip Ross): A SUMMARY
How to Make Your Wildest Dreams Come True – Fifteen Principles to Realise Them
The Magic of Believing: The Power of Thought (from Inspirational Books – Part Two)
Put Your Dream to the Test by John Maxwell (from “Motivational and Inspirational Self Help Books”)
Put Your Dream to the Test (by Dr John Maxwell)
PUT YOUR DREAM TO THE TEST AND HOW TO SURVIVE THE SURPRIZE by Dr John Maxwell
“It took me twenty long years of blood, sweat and floods of tears to become an overnight success.”
– an anymoose writer”
In his new book, ‘Put Your Dream to the Test’), John Maxwell is talking about the dream journey of the bible-character, Joseph. And there are parallels that each one of us can learn from Joseph in following the path of our own dreams. A first lesson: Each great journey has a great price. The questions to ask yourself to make your wildest dreams come true:
1. Am I willing to pay the price for my dream? Don’t be limited by your thinking (eg fleas in a bottle learnt not to jump high). There is always a cost to reaching your dreams. Family and friends often react negatively to your dream. Always remember, along the journey, you will have more “downs” than “ups”.
2. Do I have enough passion? Does my passion impel me to keep the dream alive? Passion is the great energizer, which pushes us on, when all appears lost.
3. Always remember, God is with you in the tough times, the “dark ” days and hours in the valleys. Along the journey we become closely attached to God, our “closest companion” through our “ups and downs”… to guide, strengthen and comfort us. God is ALWAYS faithful “If God is with us, everybody else might as well be too!” – John Maxwell
* Attitude is a CHOICE The attitude I have today is a choice. It’s my responsibility… TODAY! Invest in others. Put others first. Help them achieve THEIR dreams. Add value to them (and their lives) There are four ways to do that:
1. Value people, first
2. Add value to what others value.
3. By making ourselves more valuable
4. By doing things God values – that have an eternal nature.
NB: Be forgiving – no matter what someone has done to you. Have a forgiving spirit.
*
Part Four: In his address (based on his new book, ‘Put Your Dream to the Test’), John Maxwell is talking about the dream journey of Joseph. Joseph went from being a “believer” into a “buyer of the dream”, he really “bought into” his dream and “survived the surprise”. He fully trusted God (though “bad things can still happen to good people”).
Article Title: Put Your Dream to the Test by Dr John Maxwell (from “Motivational and Inspirational Self Help Books“)
Submitted by: Craig Lock
Category/Key words: Dreams, dream information, self help books, motivational and inspirational books, John Maxwell, success, success principles, achievement, self help, personal growth, motivation, inspiration, empowerment, life purpose (enough there for now, craig)
Web Sites: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4 http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=la_B005GGMAW4_sr?rh=i%3Abooks&field-author=Craig+Lock&sort=relevance&ie=UTF8&qid and http://goo.gl/vTpjk
The submitter’s blogs (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) are at www.sharefaith.wordpress.com and http://craigsblogs.wordpress.com
Other Articles are available at: http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/user/15565 and http://www.ideamarketers.com/library/profile.cfm?writerid=981
(Personal growth, self help, writing, internet marketing, spiritual, ‘spiritual writings’ (how ‘airey-fairey’), words of inspiration and money management, how boring now, craig
Publishing Guidelines:
This article (as with all my articles) may be freely published, electronically or in print.
“We share what we know, so that we all may grow.”
*
INTRODUCTION
Submitter’s Note:
Craig has been studying the amazing powers of the human mind for the past two decades (now his “life-long hobby”). These are some notes I took from an uplifting and inspiring address by Dr John Maxwell from the ‘Hour of Power’ television programme (he has written a new book), so (even if you are not “religiously-minded”) I am sharing the contents of this author’s work in the spirit of encouraging and hopefully even inspiring those people to just GO FOR IT with all you’ve got. Nothing is impossible, if you earnestly desire it and work hard at achieving your dreams. Thank you sincerely, Dr Maxwell for sharing your most uplifting words of wisdom in encouraging me to follow my passion and reach for my personal dreams down the “un-trodden path of self fulfilment”. I in turn am passing them on through the amazing power of the ‘net’. Enjoy…
*
PUT YOUR DREAM TO THE TEST AND HOW TO SURVIVE THE SURPRIZE by Dr John Maxwell
“It took me twenty long years of blood, sweat and floods of tears to become an overnight success.”
– an anymoose writer”
In his new book, ‘Put Your Dream to the Test’), John Maxwell is talking about the dream journey of the bible-character, Joseph. And there are parallels that each one of us can learn from Joseph in following the path of our own dreams. A first lesson: Each great journey has a great price. The questions to ask yourself to make your wildest dreams come true:
1. Am I willing to pay the price for my dream? Don’t be limited by your thinking (eg fleas in a bottle learnt not to jump high). There is always a cost to reaching your dreams. Family and friends often react negatively to your dream. Always remember, along the journey, you will have more “downs” than “ups”.
2. Do I have enough passion? Does my passion impel me to keep the dream alive? Passion is the great energizer, which pushes us on, when all appears lost.
3. Always remember, God is with you in the tough times, the “dark ” days and hours in the valleys. Along the journey we become closely attached to God, our “closest companion” through our “ups and downs”… to guide, strengthen and comfort us. God is ALWAYS faithful “If God is with us, everybody else might as well be too!” – John Maxwell
* Attitude is a CHOICE The attitude I have today is a choice. It’s my responsibility… TODAY! Invest in others. Put others first. Help them achieve THEIR dreams. Add value to them (and their lives) There are four ways to do that:
1. Value people, first
2. Add value to what others value.
3. By making ourselves more valuable
4. By doing things God values – that have an eternal nature.
NB: Be forgiving – no matter what someone has done to you. Have a forgiving spirit.
*
Part Four: In his address (based on his new book, ‘Put Your Dream to the Test’), John Maxwell is talking about the dream journey of Joseph. Joseph went from being a “believer” into a “buyer of the dream”, he really “bought into” his dream and “survived the surprise”. He fully trusted God (though “bad things can still happen to good people”).
* *
NOW THAT YOU HAVE ACHIEVED YOUR WILDEST DREAM(S)… WHAT NEXT?
Once we achieve, receive our dream, how to make the most of it? My dream is HERE. Often we can impact others more through sharing our failures more than our successes (a failure is just a person, who hasn’t succeeded …YET!). Now that you have achieved your dream…
* Be GENEROUS
* HELP others.. through adding value to them…. through your success (and what you’ve learnt along the way). Remember: ” God will not give to us, what will not flow through us” So share the benefits of your dream with others. Ask yourself: “Does my success, achieving my dream, benefit others in some way?” “Will other people be blessed with the God-given dream inside me?” .
*
SUMMARY:
1. Be GENEROUS
2 Be HUMBLE. “If the Lord makes you successful… one day, I’ll keep you humble.”
– a wife (I won’t say whose!)
Remember: “divine promotion is better than self promotion”) God raised me up. God helps those who can’t help themselves, when we are in over our heads and God makes the difference in achieving our dreams. Keeps us humble. CHOOSE to give God the glory, pass it on . Say, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” – Philippians 4:3)
3 Have an attitude TO WIN Say “I CAN…one sunny day!
4. Live with an ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE Always remember… God has already equipped you with all that you need to achieve your goals and even your wildest dreams . It usually takes a long time for your dream to lift off (the bigger the dream, the longer it takes). So be PATIENT. Wait on your dream. Trials and tribulations bring patience. Dreams are conceived in the mind long before they are realised. Dreams are like a large aircraft, a Jumbo jet on the runway. It takes a lot of energy for them to lift off, but then you soar freely. You can, if you THINK you can. Just believe in your dream…and yourself!
5. Use the great power of the human imagination to the fullest.
“Whatever the mind can conceive, can be achieved”.
Do all this in following YOUR dream and you WILL soar high and allow you to be all God intended you to be and become. You CAN do it … and in doing so you’ll surprize yourself at what is “humanly” possible!
Makes your dreams BIG enough for God, the Ultimate Source to fit in!
BELIEVE it (first) …then SEE your dreams come true
Shared by Craig Lock (“Information and Inspiration Distributer, Incorrigible Encourager and People-builder”)
“Believing is seeing”
“I believe that God creates us with different gifts; so that in life’s journey each one of us, experiences challenges, things that give us joy and using our gifts allow us to bless the world around us.”
“Look within and you will find and receive from Without.”
“We have it all within, but we get all from without, the Ultimate Source.” – craig
“You are as great as your thoughts, as big as your heart and as vast as your imagination.” – my good friend, Dr Andy Eastcott, Gisborne, New Zealand
“Life is about finding, then following the dream…
and one’s dream/vision comes to reality through believing in
yourself, making the commitment and then creating it.”
from http://www.craiglockbooks.com
About the submitter:
and one’s dream/vision comes to reality through believing in
yourself, making the commitment and then creating it.”
– me
from http://www.craiglockbooks.com
About the submitter:
Craig has been following his dream for many years. He likes (rather loves) to share knowledge and insights from his life experiences with dashes of humour to try and help others in ‘every little way’ he can… without being too much of a “Mr goody-goody boring two shoes” (although they may be different colours and he’s lost the other one) . Craig believes the spiritual dimension is something we can all “tap into”… like ‘a sixth sense’, which gives each person ‘superior wisdom’ (“Infinite Wisdom from the Ultimate Source”) in making decisions and choosing one’s path in life.
He loves encouraging people to find, then follow their dreams in life… truly believing that with hard work, dedication, faith, and patience absolutely ANYTHING is possible to achieve (accomplish) in life
The various books* that Craig “felt inspired to write” are available at:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4 http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=la_B005GGMAW4_sr?rh=i%3Abooks&field-author=Craig+Lock&sort=relevance&ie=UTF8&qid and http://goo.gl/vTpjk
He is presently “working” on his latest novels ‘The Awakened Spirit’ and ‘From Seeds of Hate to the Bonds of Love’, based on some true and inspiring stories
of the unquenchable, the indomitable human spirit, that lies within each one of us. Stories of ‘Endless Possibilities, Far and Unlimited (Grand) Horizons’. These ebooks are already available at http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4
The submitter’s blogs (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) are at http://craigsblogs.wordpress.comand http://craiglock.wordpress.com
“The world’s smallest and most exclusive bookstore”
“Together, one mind, one heart, one life at a time, lets see how many people we can impact, encourage, empower and perhaps even inspire to reach their fullest potentials.”
THESE THOUGHTS MAY BE FREELY PUBLISHED
PS: I love these words of inspiration, so am sharing. Enjoy…
“I wish you well on a rainy day I wish you rainbows to brighten your day
To feel your quiet moments with a special kind of warmth to remind you that happiness can happen when you least expect it.
I wish you rainbows to make you laugh and smile to show you the simple beauty of life and to give you the magic of dreams come true.
I wish you rainbows I wish you well.”
– Larry S. Chenges
PPS
Click on John Maxwell’s great Youtube videos at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcKbfmukP9U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGeV606QJ4o
How to Make Your Wildest Dreams Come True – Fifteen Principles to Realise Them
Put Your Dream to the Test by John Maxwell (from “Motivational and Inspirational Self Help Books”)
Article Title: Put Your Dream to the Test by John Maxwell (from “Motivational and Inspirational Self Help Books“)
Submitted by: Craig Lock
Category/Key words: Dreams, dream information, self help books, motivational and inspirational books, John Maxwell, success, success principles, achievement, self help, personal growth, motivation, inspiration, empowerment, life purpose (enough there for now, craig)
Web Sites: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4
http://goo.gl/vTpjk and http://www.creativekiwis.com/amazon.html
The submitter’s blogs (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) are at www.sharefaith.wordpress.com and http://craigsblogs.wordpress.com
Other Articles are available at: http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/user/15565 and http://www.ideamarketers.com/library/profile.cfm?writerid=981
(Personal growth, self help, writing, internet marketing, spiritual, ‘spiritual writings’ (how ‘airey-fairey’), words of inspiration and money management, how boring now, craig
Publishing Guidelines:
This article (as with all my articles) may be freely published, electronically or in print.
“We share what we know, so that we all may grow.”
*
INTRODUCTION
Submitter’s Note:
Craig has been studying the amazing powers of the human mind for the past two decades (now his “life-long hobby”). These are some notes I took from an uplifting and inspiring address by Dr John Maxwell from the ‘Hour of Power’ television programme (he has written a new book), so (even if you are not “religiously-minded”) I am sharing the contents of this author’s work in the spirit of encouraging and hopefully even inspiring those people to just GO FOR IT with all you’ve got. Nothing is impossible, if you earnestly desire it and work hard at achieving your dreams. Thank you sincerely, Dr Maxwell for sharing your most uplifting words of wisdom in encouraging me to follow my passion and reach for my personal dreams down the “un-trodden path of self fulfilment”. I in turn am passing them on through the amazing power of the ‘net’. Enjoy…
*
PUT YOUR DREAM TO THE TEST AND HOW TO SURVIVE THE SURPRIZE by Dr John Maxwell
“It took me twenty long years of blood, sweat and floods of tears to become an overnight success.”
– an anymoose writer”
In his new book, ‘Put Your Dream to the Test’), John Maxwell is talking about the dream journey of the bible-character, Joseph. And there are parallels that each one of us can learn from Joseph in following the path of our own dreams. A first lesson: Each great journey has a great price. The questions to ask yourself to make your wildest dreams come true:
1. Am I willing to pay the price for my dream? Don’t be limited by your thinking (eg fleas in a bottle learnt not to jump high). There is always a cost to reaching your dreams. Family and friends often react negatively to your dream. Always remember, along the journey, you will have more “downs” than “ups”.
2. Do I have enough passion? Does my passion impel me to keep the dream alive? Passion is the great energizer, which pushes us on, when all appears lost.
3. Always remember, God is with you in the tough times, the “dark ” days and hours in the valleys. Along the journey we become closely attached to God, our “closest companion” through our “ups and downs”… to guide, strengthen and comfort us. God is ALWAYS faithful “If God is with us, everybody else might as well be too!” – John Maxwell
* Attitude is a CHOICE The attitude I have today is a choice. It’s my responsibility… TODAY! Invest in others. Put others first. Help them achieve THEIR dreams. Add value to them (and their lives) There are four ways to do that:
1. Value people, first
2. Add value to what others value.
3. By making ourselves more valuable
4. By doing things God values – that have an eternal nature.
NB: Be forgiving – no matter what someone has done to you. Have a forgiving spirit.
*
Part Four: In his address (based on his new book, ‘Put Your Dream to the Test’), John Maxwell is talking about the dream journey of Joseph. Joseph went from being a “believer” into a “buyer of the dream”, he really “bought into” his dream and “survived the surprise”. He fully trusted God (though “bad things can still happen to good people”).
* *
NOW THAT YOU HAVE ACHIEVED YOUR WILDEST DREAM(S)… WHAT NEXT?
Once we achieve, receive our dream, how to make the most of it? My dream is HERE. Often we can impact others more through sharing our failures more than our successes (a failure is just a person, who hasn’t succeeded …YET!). Now that you have achieved your dream…
* Be GENEROUS
* HELP others.. through adding value to them…. through your success (and what you’ve learnt along the way). Remember: ” God will not give to us, what will not flow through us” So share the benefits of your dream with others. Ask yourself: “Does my success, achieving my dream, benefit others in some way?” “Will other people be blessed with the God-given dream inside me?” .
*
SUMMARY:
1. Be GENEROUS
2 Be HUMBLE. “If the Lord makes you successful… one day, I’ll keep you humble.”
– a wife (I won’t say whose!)
Remember: “divine promotion is better than self promotion”) God raised me up. God helps those who can’t help themselves, when we are in over our heads and God makes the difference in achieving our dreams. Keeps us humble. CHOOSE to give God the glory, pass it on . Say, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” – Philippians 4:3)
3 Have an attitude TO WIN Say “I CAN…one sunny day!
4. Live with an ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE Always remember… God has already equipped you with all that you need to achieve your goals and even your wildest dreams . It usually takes a long time for your dream to lift off (the bigger the dream, the longer it takes). So be PATIENT. Wait on your dream. Trials and tribulations bring patience. Dreams are conceived in the mind long before they are realised. Dreams are like a large aircraft, a Jumbo jet on the runway. It takes a lot of energy for them to lift off, but then you soar freely. You can, if you THINK you can. Just believe in your dream…and yourself!
5. Use the great power of the human imagination to the fullest.
“Whatever the mind can conceive, can be achieved”.
Do all this in following YOUR dream and you WILL soar high and allow you to be all God intended you to be and become. You CAN do it … and in doing so you’ll surprize yourself at what is “humanly” possible!
Makes your dreams BIG enough for God, the Ultimate Source to fit in!
BELIEVE it (first) …then SEE your dreams come true
Shared by Craig Lock (“Information and Inspiration Distributer, Incorrigible Encourager and People-builder”)
“Believing is seeing”
“I believe that God creates us with different gifts; so that in life’s journey each one of us, experiences challenges, things that give us joy and using our gifts allow us to bless the world around us.”
“Look within and you will find and receive from Without.”
“We have it all within, but we get all from without, the Ultimate Source.” – craig
“You are as great as your thoughts, as big as your heart and as vast as your imagination.” – my good friend, Dr Andy Eastcott, Gisborne, New Zealand
“Life is about finding, then following the dream…
and one’s dream/vision comes to reality through believing in
yourself, making the commitment and then creating it.”
and one’s dream/vision comes to reality through believing in
yourself, making the commitment and then creating it.”
– me
About the submitter:
Craig has been following his dream for many years. He likes (rather loves) to share knowledge and insights from his life experiences with dashes of humour to try and help others in ‘every little way’ he can… without being too much of a “Mr goody-goody boring two shoes” (although they may be different colours and he’s lost the other one) . Craig believes the spiritual dimension is something we can all “tap into”… like ‘a sixth sense’, which gives each person ‘superior wisdom’ (“Infinite Wisdom from the Ultimate Source”) in making decisions and choosing one’s path in life.
He loves encouraging people to find, then follow their dreams in life… truly believing that with hard work, dedication, faith, and patience absolutely ANYTHING is possible to achieve (accomplish) in life
The various books* that Craig “felt inspired to write” are available at:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4
http://goo.gl/vTpjk and http://www.creativekiwis.com/amazon.html
‘The Awakened Spirit’ and ‘From Seeds of Hate to the Bonds of Love’, based on some true and inspiring stories
of the unquenchable, the indomitable human spirit, that lies within each one of us. Stories of ‘Endless Possibilities, Far and Unlimited (Grand) Horizons’.
These ebooks are already available at the above web sites.
The submitter’s blogs (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) are at http://craigsblogs.wordpress.comand http://craigbooks.wordpress.com
“The world’s smallest and most exclusive bookstore”
“Together, one mind, one heart, one life at a time, lets see how many people we can impact, encourage, empower and perhaps even inspire to reach their fullest potentials.”
THESE THOUGHTS MAY BE FREELY PUBLISHED
PS: I love these words of inspiration, so am sharing. Enjoy…
“I wish you well on a rainy day I wish you rainbows to brighten your day
To feel your quiet moments with a special kind of warmth to remind you that happiness can happen when you least expect it.
I wish you rainbows to make you laugh and smile to show you the simple beauty of life and to give you the magic of dreams come true.
I wish you rainbows I wish you well.”
– Larry S. Chenges
PPS
Click on John Maxwell’s great Youtube videos at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcKbfmukP9U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGeV606QJ4o
Articles by craig lock: “I Write to Share”
Articles by craig lock: “I Write to Share”
Some of my various writings over the years
Craig’s various articles are available at:http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/user/15565 andhttp://www.ideamarketers.com/library/profile.cfm?writerid=981
(Personal growth, self help, writing, internet marketing, spiritual, ‘spiritual writings’ (how ‘airey-fairey’), words of inspiration and money management, how boring now, craig
“We share what we know, so that we all may grow.”
The various books* that Craig “felt inspired to write” are available at
www.lulu.com/craiglock +http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/craiglock* Hard-copies and e-books, fiction and nonfiction: self help, novels, travel, humour, writing, inspiration and money management
All proceeds go to needy and underprivileged children –
MINE!
Cut out that poverty of thought immediately, craig and start thinking RIGHT…POSITIVELY!
“The world’s smallest and most exclusive bookstore”
“A book is small enough to hold in your hand; but when you read it, the walls fall away and you’re in a room as big as the world.”
“A book is like a garden carried in the pocket.”
– Chinese proverb
“Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read.”
– Groucho Marx
“Together, one mind, one soul at a time, let’s see how many people we can impact, empower, encourage and perhaps even inspire to reach their fullest potentials.”
PPS
Don’t worry about the world ending today…
it’s already tomorrow in “little scenic and tranquil” New Zealand
Determination – the Key to Success in Sport and in Life
from http://www.grandprixchampion.wordpress.com
Article Title: Determination – the Key to Success in Sport and in Life
(from ‘Steps to Success, Prosperity and Happiness‘and The Winning Mind”)
Author: Craig Lock
Category/Subject: Spiritual, Inspiration, Empowerment, Success, Success Principles, Personal Growth, Self Help, Motivation, Mind, Mind Control, Mind-power, books, self help books, (enough there now, craig)
Web sites: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4www.creativekiwis/amazon.html andhttp://www.creativekiwis.com/books.html#craig
The submitter’s motor racing blogs (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) are athttp://grandprixdriver.wordpress.com
his various other blogs are athttp://craigsblogs.wordpress.
(Other articles are available at:http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/user/15565 andhttp://www.ideamarketers.com/library/profile.cfm?writerid=981
Personal growth, self help, writing, internet marketing, spiritual, ‘spiritual writings’ (how ‘airey-fairey’), words of inspiration and money management, how boring now, craig)
Publishing Guidelines
We hope that the following article (an extract from one of Craig’s first manuscripts on sport psychology‘The Winning Mind’, as well as an extract from Chapter Two of one of Craig’s first manuscripts (“rather wacky”) titled ‘STEPS TO SUCCESS, PROSPERITY AND HAPPINESS’ and his book on thepsychology of sport titled ‘The Winning Mind’ written “many many moons ago” may be informative and helpful to your ezine readers, or on your web site. If it helps others “out there” on the pathway to success (and most importantly, happiness), then we’re very happy.
This article (as with all my articles) may be freely published.
“We share what we know, so that we all may grow.”
#
DETERMINATION – THE KEY TO SUCCESS
I think the key words in the path to success are: DETERMINATION and SELF DISCIPLINE. Others are FOCUS and a SINGLE-MINDEDNESS (in pursuit of one’s goals). The words ‘determination’ and (by association) ‘ruthlessness’, suggest a person who wants success and power for it’s own sake. This is another sort of obsession. However, a desire for power, riches and fame may have virtually nothing to do with it. By the way, I feel that not all successful people and business executives are ruthless – they are not all “money grabbing corporate raiders”. Most of them are “normal and good family men”, who have perfectly natural reactions in that they hate firing employees. “Soft gentle souls!” Determination is often at its greatest, when a person is enslaved by an idea and wants to see the idea work. There is a further sort of determination: the determination to see things through, to finish the job. For example, a compulsion to qualify for the PGA golf tour in America, to finish a building, or in my case to finish writing this manuscript…and then get it published… which is the hardest part of all. Especially with the way I write!
I suppose all these characteristics are somewhat abnormal; because so-called “normal” people are more passive and less focused than us “obsessive types”. They are regarded as being less “mad” by the majority of the public, who engage in more ordinary activities and have more “normal” occupations. This thought leads me on to another question: Is the top-most level of success the only one worth having, or is it sufficient to merely enjoy sport for it’s own sake (even the professionals)? Does every player entering Wimbledon really think he or she is going to win the Championship? Or is it success itself just to play in the Wimbledon tournament? How realistic is the vision of success to YOU? It all depends on how you define success for yourself…which is the thought with which I introduced this chapter. I believe that a strong SENSE OF DIRECTION or PURPOSE IN LIFE is a very important ingredient for success. So too is a persistent personality.
To be successful in whatever endeavour one chooses, first of all requires a great of talent. It might be latent, waiting to be uncovered. Perhaps, you are not even aware of it. I wonder how many budding Ayrton Senna’s and Michael Schumachers there are around, who just have never had the opportunity (mainly in the form of money) to race cars? Motor racing is certainly the “ultimate rich boy’s sport”. To finally reap the rewards of success, obviously talent has to be there on the long slow road to success – and at the time of success…but has it always been there? Chess geniuses, athletes, tennis players, architects, athletes, scientists, dress designers and advertising creative directors. These “creative types”! There can be talent deep within; but there has to be hard work and training before the talent bears fruition – so that it can succeed against (all) others…and this often takes a great deal of time to bear fruit.
“Ït took me 20 long years of blood, sweat and tears to become an overnight success.”
– “a nony mouse”
I believe in life it’s firstly a matter of finding your “niche”, then unlocking your unique talents…and finding it is the most difficult part. You may not even be aware you have any special gifts. That is the “key” to success. As I mentioned, I found whatever little ones I had through a process of serendipity…and it’s probably my one and only talent! My writing, I mean. Once uncovered, it’s then a question of building on it and maximizing it. Maria Callas, the opera singer with “a voice like an angel” put a great deal of effort into maximizing her talent. Sometimes a phenomenol talent, like a Juan Manuel Fangio*, Jim Clark or Ayrton Senna soars above all others; but in most cases it’s the effort and total dedication put in to make the most of one’s natural talents, that puts an individual into the realm of a superstar – someone who is on a different level, a cut above the best of the rest, us ‘mere mortals’.
* Fangio won the World Driver’s Championship five times.
One can sometimes substitute hard work, training, experience and strategy for flair. Nice word that ‘flair’. Could be a girl’s name. Some detectives are like “Mr Plod”, while a few sleuths have the natural insight of a Sherlock Holmes. Most others have to get results through hard detailed work in uncovering cases. I don’t yet know whether I’m a “natural” writer or a methodical plodder, a “gatherer and passer-onner of useless information” through a great deal of effort. Perhaps only time will tell! I might have mentioned before (once, twice or ten times) that this manuscript has been written for anyone: from the most lowly amateur to the real ‘pros’ in the sporting world. So no matter how lowly your abilities, make the most of them.
As I mentioned already, a positive attitude to life is all-important. A positive attitude says that your natural talent can be maximized. It also says that without further effort, natural talent will be wasted. I do like repeating myself: for emphasis primarily and as a sign of encroaching senility too. Sometimes persistent effort alone won’t succeed in getting you to the top – only sheer talent will do that… together with consistent effort to keep you at “the top of the tree”.
Never mind – JUST TRY TO IMPROVE yourself and simply DO YOUR BEST at all times.
Say: “I WILL UNTIL…”
Have “heaps” of FUN as you “ride the rapids of life” *
Shared by Craig Lock (“Information and InspirationDistributer, Incorrigible Encourager and People-builder”)
* that’s a metaphor, btw
“Ï write, because I like to make things…and the only things I am good at making are with words.”
– PJ O’Rourke
“The important thing is this: to be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become.”
– Charles Du Bos
“I am not just a human being…
I am a human ‘bean’ just becoming.”
– My good friend and “wise” intellectual philosopher, Dr Andy Eastcott (thanks for fixing my teeth and for the most
interesting discussions on life, “mate”)
“The roots of true achievement lie in the will to become the best that you can become.”
– Harold Taylor
“The task ahead of you can always be overcome by the power within you…and the often seemingly difficult or even
“impassible”) path ahead of you is never as steep with the great spirit that lies within you.
– craig
“I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have.”
– Abraham Lincoln
“Oh man! There is no planet sun or star could hold you, if you but knew what you are.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
“He who cherishes a beautiful vision, a lofty ideal in his heart, will one day realize it. Dream lofty dreamsand as you dream so shall you become.”
– James Allen
“No vision and you perish; No Ideal, and you’re lost; Your heart must ever cherish Some faith at any cost. Some hope, some dream to cling to, Some rainbow in the sky, Some melody to sing to, Some service that is high.”
– Harriet Du Autermont
About the submitter::
Craig believes in (and loves) helping others to find their passions and gifts… through encouraging people to reach out for, then accomplish their “wildest” dreams. He truly believes people can overcome obstacles, rise to any occasion, and accomplish their dreams in life with enough FAITH and PERSISTENCE.
http://members.tripod.com/~lock77/www.craiglockbooks.com andwww.selfgrowth.com/experts/craig_lock.html
The various books that Craig “felt inspired to write” (including ‘The Winning Mind’ * *) are available at:http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005GGMAW4www.creativekiwis/amazon.html
http://www.creativekiwis.com/books.html#craigwww.lulucom/craiglockand http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/craiglock
www.creativekiwis.com/index.php/books/74-craigs-books +www.lulu.com/craiglock
* * A look at the psychology of sport, the ‘arm-chair’ author’s great passion. This manuscript goes into more depth, from the amateur sports-person to the professional. How to master ones mind, the “top two inches”… in sport…and in life.
The submitter’s motor racing blogs (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) are athttp://grandprixdriver.wordpress.com
his various other blogs are athttp://craigsblogs.wordpress.
“The world’s smallest and most exclusive bookstore”
“A book is small enough to hold in your hand; but when you read it, the walls fall away and you’re in a room as big as the world.”
“Together, one mind, one life at a time, let’s see how many people we can impact, empower, uplift, encourage and perhaps even inspire to reach their fullest potentials.”
THIS ARTICLE MAY BE FREELY PUBLISHED
PPS
Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to use the Internet and he won’t bother you for months…or perhaps even years!
(Sorry men!)
As they carry me to my deathbed, I’ll be saying:
“Lord,
Can you just give me one more hour to finish off this one last article, or book…. PLEASE!”
– craig (as inspired by the quote of singer, Barry Manilow)
WHO IS "THE REAL, THE TRUE, THE LIVING" JESUS? 
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