There Are Secrets...Work

“Some people dream of success... while others wake up and work hard at it.” ~Author Unknown

Recently I had a conversation with a colleague of mine that blew my mind. We were discussing what he needed to do regarding some lofty goals that he set. As I started sharing with him from experience what it would take to achieve the goals I got the following response. “Well, I’m not you…you did it but it’s different for me. I don’t have your gifts.”

Really? He was looking at me as if I were some extraordinary, gifted, or chosen one. I was thinking, “He has no idea the amount of work that has gone into what he sees today as ‘special’". He only saw the manifestation of what March 2022 has brought. He saw the tip of the iceberg and didn't see what was underneath which is:

• Over 40 years of intense work, primarily on myself, that included;

• Well over 3,500 books read

• Over 1,000,000 miles traveled seeking the best, brightest and wisest in every area of self mastery

• Over $500,000 spent on seminars, tapes, CD’s, workshops, coaching, mentoring, and anything needed to succeed

• Tens of thousands of hours listening to motivational, inspirational, educational and enlightening audio programs

• 11 of 13 businesses that I started that didn’t work and cost me more that what was earned

• Failing more than I succeeded yet having the faith to get up and go for it again and again by working harder and smarter

What was so frustrating was that I saw he really believed his excuses. He didn’t know what I saw in him and knew from experience. He didn’t know that he is truly powerful beyond measure and the only thing stopping him from getting what he wanted out of life was the six inches between his ears and his own stinkin’ thinkin’. It was both sad and frustrating all at the same time. However, the hidden benefit is the message that I’m sharing with you today.

You are a victor and not a victim. The only way that you will truly know and understand this is from accessing the spiritual principles of sowing and reaping. You must first sow the seeds of work, diligence and effort before you ever reap the benefits of the harvest. There are secrets…and work is one of them! Along with the raw, physical, time and effort that is required for the achievement of any worthwhile dream or goal (10,000 hours minimum!), there are its siblings that often go unnoticed except by those who recognize their beauty.

“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” ~Thomas Edison

When opportunity knocks…open the door. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen people keep the door shut because they were afraid of who was knocking. Oftentimes the fear is a function of your own self image (lack of) and disbelief that you are not only worthy of the opportunity but that it only came knocking because of your hard work. Be not weary in well doing for in due time you shall reap the harvest.

“If a man is called a streetsweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and Earth will pause to say, Here lived a great streetsweeper who did his job well.” ~Martin Luther King, Jr.

As the late, great Vince Lombardi stated (paraphrased), “Winning (work) is not a sometime thing, it’s an all the time thing!” There is a misconception that, “I’ll work hard when it is something worthy of working hard at.” Guess what; it doesn’t work like that. If you have a strong work ethic, it will show up regardless of what you are doing. If you don’t, no matter ‘what’ you are doing, the work will not follow. Again, make no mistake about it. There are secrets…WORK!

Believe…