Monday, March 9, 2009

Once started is half complete

Recently, I was surprised to experience the dissolution of a person’s commitment to bettering their life. After speaking with this individual about the American dream, the dream to control one’s future by running their own company, I watched this person’s attitude change right before my eyes.

Many have written and spoken on the impact of attitude and how it controls ones probability for success. In this particular case, I whole heartedly agree. In order for one to reach the pinnacle of success, no matter what the venture, one must be completely committed to that goal. By committed I mean doing the thing that one set out to do long after the feeling one said it in has diminished.

My friend began by seeing the opportunity to achieve more, become more and attract more into his own life. When faced with the reality that most people, and by most I mean more than 70 percent, will stand as obstacles, critics and cynics in the path of one’s goal, my friend quickly forgot the commitment that was made to himself, his family and his dream. He became another statistic of the “also-rans”.

I say that I was surprised by this experience, not because it has not happened to others that I have met or worked with in the past. I say that I was surprised because this individual made a verbal commitment to stay positive, remain engaged and to be completely open to training for a minimum of one year. So why did he recant his verbal commitment? I believe the answer is found in one’s “yes” being “yes” and one’s “no” being “no”.

Shakespeare’s Hamlet said, “Above all: To thine own self be true.” In this statement of wisdom we find the secret to all success. If one is to be successful in any achievement, one must first convince self that no matter what the cost, obstacle or struggle one will remain on course until completed. Once certain of this contract between the goal and oneself, being true to the commitment will always result in achievement of the desired goal.

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