"The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor."
~ Vince Lombardi ~
Oftentimes we look at someone who has achieved greatness in some area of their life with a slight bit of envy. We think to ourselves how much we would love to be in their shoes.
They make what they do look so effortless that it can be easy to forget what it took for them to reach that point.
All the hours and hours of practice, doing without now, so they can have what they want later, etc. But, it's actually something even more than that.
People who have achieved true greatness in some way have "burned their ships in the harbor," as the following story, which was relayed to me years ago, illustrates.
A general was to land on a foreign island with several hundred soldiers. Their mission was to seize the beach and hold it until reinforcements arrived the next day.
The enemy, however, were known to be a fierce and ruthless adversary who’d never lost a battle.
As the soldiers were departing their ships, the general heard some of them telling one another that if the going got too tough, they’d simply retreat to the ships and sail away.
Upon hearing this, the general ordered that all the ships be burned in the harbor. His men, with nowhere to retreat, won the battle and held the area.
That story really says it all. It gives the key to achieving your goal in any area. All you have to do is follow the example and there is no telling what you can accomplish.
Sadly, however, most people aren't willing to "burn their ships." They (like the soldiers in the story) want them there in case things get too hard they can use them to escape with.
But that’s not the way of true commitment. No, if you really want to achieve all that you're capable of then you must follow the general’s example, and do what you must.
I’m a firm believer that all people who’ve made a mark in this world have been willing to commit themselves this way.
People like the young musician who moves to Nashville, against the advice of his friends and family;
Or the actor who goes to Hollywood, in hopes of landing a big movie role;
Or the business person who risk his or her life savings to fund their business start-up.
I’m not saying those types of decisions are for everyone. But, we all can learn from their example.
Maybe for you, it’s committing yourself to your marriage, to remain together, for better or worse, and really meaning it.
Or maybe it’s a commitment to graduate from college, or to stop smoking.
Regardless of what it may be, the principle remains the same. You have to be willing to keep going, no matter how hard you’re hit.
When things get tough, you must remain committed to your decision. You must be willing to give it your all. Because if you do, you can’t be stopped.
Well, that's it for now. Until next time...
Keep reaching,
Jay
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