Transition of any type, whether it is in business or personal attempts, you will always find out who is truly serious toward proving their commitment. This is seen during college semesters when many people change their majors. Gym memberships in March. Divorce. Career paths, such as medicine, that offer such a broad spectrum of opportunities often find people who were once passionate about say, geriatrics, suddenly thrive in an environment of critical care. Huh-ummm….wonder how I knew that example???
When people in relationships face a geographical re-location suddenly the eternal flame becomes a dying ember & commitment is passé.
In launching a new business these past few weeks I can’t help but notice the same scenario. It saddens me in the aspect that people so easily quit. They aren’t quitting a business model, opportunity or even being partners with me. They are quitting on themselves, their dreams, & the chance to leave a legacy for generations. I’m sure the reasons are valid in their mind. Time? Money? Family? God? Each of these reasons for quitting should be the reasons for pursuing even harder.
The past few days I have heard amazing stories of people who faced insurmountable odds, yet pursued. Louis Zamperini, Chuck Yeager, St. Francis of Assisi, Abraham Clark and more. The lives & determination of these men make it virtually impossible for me to whine or complain about anything being too hard, much less even remotely thinking of quitting.
The scripture, “For a wide door of opportunity for effectual [service] has opened to me [there, a great and promising one], and [there are] many adversaries.”- 1 Cor. 16:9, resonates in my heart strongly. There are amazing opportunities presented to us, yet none without the promise of adversity. Most of the adversity comes from our own limiting beliefs.
The only way I can face the aspirations I have is to deluge myself in daily self-education through a world-class training system. Before this system, I listened to the thoughts in my head or others who had the same results I did. If you looked at my life, you could quickly tell this was my practice by the results I had. Once I was exposed to the truth, I was challenged to define the lifestyle I wanted, learn from the people who had that lifestyle, & simply do what they did to achieve it. This principle can be applied in any area of your life. If you’re married & desire to have the greatest marriage on planet earth, research & mentor with couples who have that type of marriage. Find out what books they read. If you desire to become debt free, owing no man nothing as the Bible clearly defines, mentor with men & women who practice that freedom & financial discipline. What about fitness?? Have you decided to make some changes in your health? I would suggest taking advice from someone who practices a healthy lifestyle as opposed to someone who knows the choices on the fast food marquee by number. How is your relationship with God? Chances are if you are surrounded by people who live a carnal lifestyle, you have probably adapted that belief.
There is a “scarlet thread” woven in each of the previous examples. Associations. People. Relationships. Circle of trust. The old saying, “You can’t soar like an eagle when you hang out with the turkeys” is more than just a saying.
It takes courage to soar. The truth is, the mother eagle begins to pull the nest apart making it virtually impossible for the eaglet to remain in the nest of comfort. She also knows when to push them to the edge, yet surrounds them with safety while they discover their wings. A mentor does the same. When the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of change, we change. It grieves me to see people merely become accustomed to pain rather than make the choice to change. I guess worse than grief is the fact they become bitter therefore affecting others around them.
If you have the tendency to quit things, I encourage you to examine every area of your life. Once this inventory is made, index your associations, habits, results & see if this is where you want to remain. Most of all, if you remain in this place or within these associations, will you fulfill your God-given purpose & destiny? I realize this may be a tough subject, but in 2006, I had to do this. It was very difficult in that one of the areas I had to release was ministry. Many may sneer at that choice. You see, I surrendered a directors position & soon realized I had accepted a much higher calling & even greater responsibility in leading people to truth, freedom, & yes, most importantly to God. In making this choice, I was forced to learn, grow & change me. Once I began making hard choices like this, I recognize the time or season of change when it presents itself. Just recently I made a decision to change churches. This was an extremely bitter-sweet choice. I loved my church & friends, but God began to gently nudge me toward embracing my true community in Dallas. It took several months for me not to cry every time I went to church because of this separation, but I have to say, obedience is better than to sacrifice. As with other choices to change, I have never looked back & continue to exercise slight edge discipline because you see…..there are people waiting who aren’t strong enough to make changes on their own.
I found a beautiful quote today: “Men are anxious to improve their circumstances, but are unwilling to improve themselves; they therefore remain bound. The man who does not shrink from self-crucifixion can never fail to accomplish the object upon which his heart is set. This is true of earthly as of heavenly things. Even the man whose object is to acquire wealth must be prepared to make great personal sacrifices before he can accomplish his object; and how much more so he who would realize a strong and well-poised life.”— James Allen
I made a decision. I quit…..making excuses. I will not be held hostage to anyone or anything, especially myself. This may be tough, but I know I am surrounded by the greatest mentors on earth who will lead, guide, & direct me in love & truth. If you struggle in any of these areas, I suggest doing what I did. Commit to your dream & to what it takes to change. I can also suggest the greatest self-development system on earth. I can’t promise you easy, but I can promise you it will be worth it.
Blessings,
g
Success in anything is only one decision away. Failure in anything is the decision to quit.-Jim Briley
Geneva 