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5 Reasons to Never Give Up on Your Dreams

Posted: 20 Nov 2009 05:25 AM PST

You were born for a very specific reason! Everything that exists has a purpose.  My laptop has a purpose, my car has a purpose, my socks have a purpose, my dog “Bananas” has a purpose, and more importantly you have a purpose.

You came to planet Earth to accomplish a specific mission.  Maybe it’s to entertain, or to inspire, or to be an amazing parent, or to act, or to cook, or to paint, or to lead a country, or any other thing, but you came here for a specific reason.  It would be an insult to your creator for you to leave this planet without fulfilling that mission.

Don’t settle for a life of quiet desperation, when you were born for greatness.  Don’t live among the chickens, when your birthright is to soar like an eagle.

1. You Only Live Once

“When they back the ‘hearse’ up to the front door, they are not making a practice run.” – Van Crouch

You only get one bite at the apple; make sure you live your life with no regrets.  Most people are living ‘way’ beneath their skills, talents, and abilities.  They are so much more than what they have become. 

It’s critical that you make the most of every minute.  Die empty, having given all that you are to the world; because you only live once.

2. There’s No Point in Being Realistic

“Nothing great has ever been achieved by being realistic.” – Mr. Self Development

Go after the impossible.  Set your sights on what you want to accomplish and don’t relent until you arrive at your intended destination. 

I like what Will Smith said, in terms of staying “focused” on your dream until you get there.  He said, “having a ‘Plan B’ only distracts you from ‘Plan A’…”  Commit to accomplish your dream, save realism for the average and the mundane.  Don’t settle for less, when it’s possible for you to have the best. 

“When you become certain that nothing is impossible for you, you will attain everything you desire.”  - Wayne Dyer

3. You Have Time to Fulfill Your Dreams

I’ve told this story before, but I’ll tell it again…because I think it’s a good story…there was a guy who wanted to become a doctor, but was unwilling to go back to school for eight years. When asked by his friend why he wasn’t going to fulfill his dream of becoming a doctor he said, “I would love to become a doctor, but I would have to go back to school for eight years, and in eight years I’m going to be 40 years old! His wise friend responded, “Well, how old will you be in eight years if you don’t go back to school?”

The time is going to pass, let it pass with you accomplishing your dreams.  Maybe it takes you a little longer to succeed.  Maybe you’ll succeed at 90 when someone else succeeded at 9.  Either way, when you’re 90 it won’t matter, as long as you succeeded.

4. You Deserve to be Happy and Successful

You will never be fulfilled until you do what you were created to do.  There’s nothing like the joy of living your dream.  If not you, then who?  If not now, then when?

It will certainly take work, nothing worth achieving is ever easy, but it’s always worth it.  As the famous quote goes, no journey is too great, when one finds what he seeks.

Dedicate your life to fulfilling your dream …in its entirety; your dream should include a happy family and amazing health.

5. You Will Eventually Succeed

“We can do anything we want to do, if we stick to it long enough.” Helen Keller

If you dedicate yourself to your dominant talents, you will eventually experience success.  We’re all born a diamond in the rough; we just need to be uncovered.  We get uncovered from focused and consistent action.

Consider lions; although natural born hunters, they must spend years practicing in order to become experts.  It will probably take you many years and many long nights to succeed, but if you keep at it, and if you stay focused, you will eventually succeed.

In Closing

Commit to achieve your dreams no matter how long it takes, even if it takes another 50 years; just keep living until you get there. 

It’s imperative that you do what you were born to do, even if you must do it while you’re working an “8-5” job, with three kids, a cat, and a pet turtle.  Schedule the time; nothing is more critical.

The world needs what you have; the world is waiting for you to be manifested. Thank you for reading!

Thank you for reading mrselfdevelopment.com where every article expands your mind, increases your faith, and changes your life.

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The 7 Signs of a Leader – A Must Read

Posted: 20 Nov 2009 05:59 AM PST

We all need leaders in our lives: mentors, people to look up to, people that simply get it. Leaders inspire us, help us accomplish our dreams, and teach by example. Leaders make us better people and give us an ideal to strive for.

The measure of leadership is always influence; leaders have an amazing ability to influence our lives. Leaders lead wherever they go; they lead at work, at home, or wherever they happen to be.

So after that intro, it’s easy to conclude that being a leader is not an easy task; it requires a collection of very important skills that have to be ingrained into your daily practice – your soul.

Below are the 7 Signs of a Leader. How many of these do you believe you have? More importantly perhaps, do you look up to someone today that doesn’t have many of these traits? Are they really the person to look up to? The choices you make today and the people you surround yourself with will determine much of your path in life; choose wisely.

1. Vision
   

   “It’s a terrible thing to see, and have no vision.” – Helen Keller

   Leaders are visionaries; they know where they’re going, and their committed to bringing others along. They have a clear vision of what they want to accomplish and their vision is so compelling that it inspires others to participate in the fulfillment of the vision.

2. Discipline
   

   “Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.” – Jim Rohn

   Leaders are disciplined individuals! They are the first partaker of what they preach and they exemplify unprecedented discipline, focus, and commitment in the achievement of their vision.

3. Emotional Strength
   

   “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.” – Proverbs

   Leaders are not easily shaken. Leaders anticipate challenges and are not derailed by obstacles. Leaders remain strong when things get tough; they don’t faint when adversity strikes.

   Leaders have an amazing level of emotional strength.

4. Experience
   

   “Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgment.” – Jim Horning

   Leaders have experience. In other words, they’ve been around the block a few times and they know where they’re going. Their experience has taught them how to get things done and they can differentiate between activity and accomplishment, between efficiency and effectiveness.

   Leaders focus their efforts on the tasks that produce the greatest rewards.

5. Respect

   “Respect is love in plain clothes.” – Frankie Byrne

   Leaders are respected and trusted individuals. Leaders have earned the respect of their followers by becoming an “example.” They chart the course, follow their destiny, and inspire others in the process.

   Leaders are respected because they earn respect. The second they demand respect is the second they are no longer a leader.

6. People Skills
   

   Arguing with a fool proves there are two. – Doris M. Smith

   Leaders have great people skills; they are friendly to the unfriendly, they know how to respond in every situation. Leaders do not engage in personal battles, they save their strength for the task at hand.

   Leaders treat people with respect and dignity; they connect with others on a personal and emotional level.

7. Momentum and Timing

   “If you’re coasting, you’re either losing momentum or else you’re headed downhill.” – Joan Welsh

   Finally, leaders know how to create momentum, and they know when to act. Nothing great is ever accomplished without momentum and timing.

Leaders Develop Leaders

The test of a great leader is who they develop. A great leader will develop great followers; those followers will become great leaders.

It takes a leader to make a leader. A leader’s legacy is measured by succession. Are you a great leader?

Thank you for reading.

Written on 11/20/2009 by Mr. Self Development who is a motivational author that offers a practical guide to success and wealth; support him by visiting his blog at mrselfdevelopment.com. .