Leaders Light the Way

Yogi Berra, who told us, "it isn't over until it's over," also cautioned, "You've got to be very careful if you don't know where you're going, because you might not get there."

When people ask me how I have achieved so much, I tell them they can do anything they want to do, as long as they know where they are going and how they're going to get there! But, they need an effective "road map" or plan, because it's very easy to get off the right track. Personal goals provide the "road map" for achievement. If they've done a good job of setting their goals, they'll not only know where they're going, but how they're going to get there.

The power to achieve outstanding success comes from within people themselves; it's what we call self-motivation. Each of us is the end result of what we think we are. When we mentally develop things like personal courage, enthusiasm, skill, confidence, and a belief in our own abilities, we sharpen our desire to achieve more.

Did you know that scientific research has proven that average adults use only 25% of their total mental capacity? That means another 75% remains idle and unproductive! A study by the Stanford Research Institute indicates that 88% of success is attitude, and only 12% is attributed to knowledge and skill. Since all growth and progress comes from within, there is practically no limit to what a personally motivated person can accomplish. But, how do you motivate yourself? Where do you begin?

First you must make a frank and honest appraisal of where you stand now. Evaluate your strengths and weaknesses, your assets and liabilities. Put your answers down in black and white. Writing them down is very important. Face yourself squarely, honestly, and realistically. What are your goals in every area of life? Ask yourself, "How can I become successful through personal motivation?"

Paul J. Meyer, owner of Success Motivation Institute, a world-renowned motivational speaker from Waco, Texas, and owner of over 40 successful companies, developed a Million-Dollar Personal Success Plan that I would like to share with you. I have used these five steps for many years to help me become all I can be.

1. Crystallize your thinking. Determine your specific goal. Then dedicate yourself to attaining it with unswerving singleness of purpose.
2. Develop a written plan for achieving your goal and a deadline. Plan your progress carefully. We spend more time planning our vacations than planning our lives. Organized activity and enthusiasm are the wellsprings of your power.
3. Develop a sincere desire for the things that you want in life. A burning desire is the greatest motivator of every human action. The desire for success implants "success consciousness" which, in turn, creates a vigorous and ever-increasing "habit of success."
4. Develop supreme confidence in yourself and your own abilities. Don't recognize the possibility of defeat. Concentrate on your strengths instead of your weaknesses; on your powers instead of your problems.
5. Develop a dogged determination to follow through, regardless of obstacles, criticism or circumstances or what other people say, think, or do. If you use these five steps to develop your goals, you will be more successful at whatever you do.

One of my favorite poets is Amanda Bradley, who has written some wonderfully motivating works. I have this poem posted on the wall of my office.

I hope it motivates you as well as it does me!

Within our reach lies every path we ever dream of taking.
Within our power lies every step we ever dream of making.
Within our range lies every joy we ever dream of seeing�and,
Within ourselves lies everything we ever dream of being.
—Amanda Bradley