Maggie David

May 4th, 2009 by Maggie

“Some People have greatness thrust upon them.  Very few have excellence thrust upon them … they achieve it.  They do not achieve it unwittingly by doing what comes naturally and they stumble into it in the course of amusing themselves.  All excellence involves discipline and tenacity of purpose”    …   John Gardner

What is your purpose?  Do you have a short-term goal? How about A mid-term goal or a longer-term goal?

Let me tell you a true story of someone with a short-term goal, a goal that would achieve GREAT THINGS for others.

My nephew this weekend achieved a short-term goal.  He completed a 100-kilometer walk for charity, classed as one of the hardest and most grueling walks in Australia.  He was walking to raise money with others for the Wilderness and Environment– Yes to help keep our open spaces for our children, and their children and so on and so forth.

He has been on charitable events before, biking for MS (Does that every year) raising money for Autistic Children (He has one).

Now he did not just put his trainers on and start walking, he led up to this, training every day, eating right, (still working and caring for his family with his wife) but knew he had to “Put the Ground Work In” before the big day if he wanted to complete the goal.

How much ground work do you put into your short-term goals?  Say you have a short-term business goal.  Have you planned out what it is going to take to get there?  Do you put in the endless groundwork needed to achieve this – the day after day boring repetitive stuff?  Or do you say, it’s all too hard, and then complain nothing works out for you.

So back to the story, after weeks of planning and training the big day came.  Off he set knowing that he had 100 kilometers to walk, with 40 minute breaks every 3.4 kilometers. Knowing he and others who joined the walk, had to walk during the night and keep on going.  Others gave up along the way – they couldn’t do it. He kept on going.  Oh yes as one point he felt like giving up, but he received encouragement, “This is your goal, you know what you’re like, if you did not give it your best shot, you will regret it – go on. Go on” Blisters were lanced.  Disorientation set in; still he and others went on.  More gave up he went on.  Walking in the dark, with lights on your head to show the way, very hard, nothing to focus on, keep on walking.  “Want to stop, but the end is near only 5 kilometers to go, my goal is near.  What do I need to remember from my training, keep focused” … …   “What’s that I hear?”  “Cheering, Clapping, I must be near the end” … …  “Who is that, my son, he’s holding my hand, I must be close” … … “I am finished” … … Collapse – people picking me up…  “You did it – 100 kilometers in 34 hours – YOU DID IT!!! – You achieved you goal”

If others are prepared to go out on a limb and make a short-term goal that will help humanity - How far are you prepared to go to help YOURSELF?  To achieve your dreams – your short-term goal, no matter what it is –

Charles Paul Conn says….”Whatever it is, however impossible it seems, whatever the obstacle that lies between you and it, if it is noble, if it is consistent with Gods kingdom, you must hunger after it and STRETCH yourself TO REACH IT”

Until Next time

Love and Light