Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet.
Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be
strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.
~ Helen Keller
I know the above is not a popular idea, particularly in today’s world; and yet if you take a moment to consider, you’ll find this true in your life.
It certainly has been in mine.
If you think Keller’s words have nothing to do with you growing your life and business, please think again.
If you’re in business and entrepreneurship think Jobs, Gates, and Musk just to name a few. A quick Google search of these names and others will prove my point.
My proceeds from PayPal acquisitions were $180 million.
I put $100 million in SpaceX, $70 million in Tesla, and
$10 million in Solar City. I had to borrow money for rent.
~ Elon Musk
If you’re into social change, think King, Kennedy, Mandela, Parks, and Gandhi for starters.
Rosa Parks was indicted and arrested two times for her role in a boycott. The New York Times ran a front page photograph of her being fingerprinted by the police.
If you’re into philosophy and a shift in consciousness, think Socrates, Jesus and more recently Ken Wilber who is currently diagnosed and dealing with the debilitating RNASE Enzyme Deficiency Disease.
If I want to know your opinion, I promise I will ask. Otherwise keep your projections to yourself. I already have one frightened and confused asshole to deal with—me—and really one is enough.
~ Ken Wilber regarding his RNASE Enzyme Deficiency Disease.
He further went onto say, “Do I spend much time worrying about the ‘lesson’ I’m trying to teach myself by giving myself this illness? Go fuck yourself.”
Like it or not, those who make the most lasting impact on the world don’t have easier lives, their lives are harder.
Be careful what you ask for, you just might get it.
There’s always a price for the prize. Count the cost in advance.
The fact, is that we don’t grow and improve the most when things are all perfect, easy and rosy—why should we? When things are humming along on all eight cylinders, business is booming, health is thriving, money is flowing, there’s most often no need to consider a tune up. You’ve heard the old adage, “if it ain’t broke don’t’ fix it.”
Instead of if it ain’t broke don’t fix it, I suggest if it ain’t broke improve it!
There’s always room for growth and improvement.
If you check history you’ll find that the greatest souls and greatest performers most often experience the greatest suffering. There’s a certain salvation that comes through suffering, for pain is a purifier. Pain is a potential improver.
Pain is weakness leaving the body.
I’m one of the most practical and pragmatic guys on the planet. If you’ve followed my work for any amount of time you’ll know this to be true. I’ll always tell you straight up truth. Even when it’s not popular.
Success is hard. If you don’t love it you’ll quit.
~ Steve Jobs
You think it was easy for me to build and grow one of the fastest growing most successful companies in America as awarded by Inc. 500 in 2009? http://www.inc.com/profile/james-ray-international
Think again.
Be careful what you ask for, you just might get it.
There’s always a price for the prize. Count the cost in advance.
It was hard.
I had to charge forward and hold the vision even when no evidence was in sight.
I had to believe in what I was doing.
I had to believe in myself regardless of appearances.
I still do these things daily.
So must you.
Anything worth doing is hard.
Anything that is easily gained will be just as easily lost. Buckle down.
Get up early. Stay late. Pay the price. It’s worth it.
Last week we discussed your Magnificent Obsession.
How to find your own personal Magnificent Obsession? You might learn something from this article
What’s you One Thing?
Do you know?
But the bottom line is that if you’re unwilling to do what’s hard then you’ll hardly accomplish anything.
While the masses are looking for fast fame and simple
success, the masters are willing to do what’s hard.
If you won’t do the hard you’ll hardly accomplish anything.
Find your Magnificent Obsession, ( Download Your 3 STEP WORKSHEET) turn the hard things to do into hard results and hard accomplishments; and you’ll make your unique mark of greatness in the world.
Your move.
Stay Awake, Love Life, and Be Epic!
James
