George Bernard Shaw
We are made wise not by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility for our future
The start of all wisdom and mastery is to acknowledge all that we are not, and do not know.
All mindful practice and learning, discipline, the resolve to stay the course along the different milestones and the will to pass it forward, begins with the desire to be the best possible versions of ourselves along our journey on our chosen path.
Nothing so conclusively proves a man’s ability to lead others as what he does from day to day to lead himself
Thomas J. Watson
When we are working on our own dreams vis-a-vis trying to imitate or live through someone else’s, one learns to tap into the deepest reservoirs of all motivation and discipline that is already inside towards the next steps.
- Waking up early mornings before 5 AM, if required for your goals : Not a problem
- Wrapping up morning routine before 7:30 AM : Not a problem, again
- Managing all professional commitments and making time to find some time on personal learning and growth : Will do
- All other things which do not contribute to your journey become easier to prioritize down the line.
Inspiration exists, but it has to find us working
Pablo Picasso
And then one day, as you get better and better with mindful learning and practice, the next dream/ mission/ goal/ adventure arrives.
At the beginning, one has no clue whether it’s an achievable dream or not. Just that the seeds of the next goal/ adventure have been sown, and that one now needs to figure out the way ahead.
Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go
T. S. Eliot
All growth happens outside your comfort zone. The next goal/ adventure requires leaving an older version of yourself, and a few other things of comfort, behind you.
A little bit of practicality and some humility when acknowledging the risk, uncertainty and possible failure; also goes a long way when preparing for the journey ahead.
If you put yourself in a position where you have to stretch outside your comfort zone, then you are forced to expand your consciousness
Les Brown
Once you have made your peace with deciding to leave the shores, the next step is actually leaving the shores as you take your first steps into the journey. Initial fear and uncertainty is but natural and expected, but remember you never really know what you are capable of, unless you push past the boundaries of your limits.
When you focus and call upon what’s needed during those seconds, minutes, hours, days and years of your journey; you will find that being in the now, and focussing on the present moment in your endeavour to achieve your dream, brings along valuable gifts including but not limited to flow.
He who has a why to live can bear almost any how
Friedrich Nietzsche
Despite your intention and best efforts to keep moving closer to your dream/ goals, it’s inevitable that sometimes you will find yourself drifting and some other times you would be just plain lost. Know that this is part of the process and all journeys come with their highs and lows.
Given you have a ‘why’ which has been powerful enough to make you assess the risks and what the journey requires in terms of preparation, and which has made you step outside your comfort zone; trust yourself and the powers above that you will manage the ‘hows’.
I attribute my success to this – I never gave or took any excuse
Florence Nightingale
This is where how you relate to challenges and opportunities to life comes into picture. Keep at your chosen path, adjusting the steps but never the goal, and the next steps will keep appearing. As long as you are true to the best that is within you, and focus, and work smart and hard, you will keep getting closer to your goal.
I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.
Michael Jordan
There comes a time when finally you reach the goal you have been working towards from the time you set off on your journey. As you build comfort with the intricacies and details after reaching there, you acquire expertise and knowledge to help more of those who dream get there a bit faster. Whilst you keep working, keep practicing and keep getting better and better, sooner or later, for all you know, a new inspiration/ dream/ goal might just appear before you… !
It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves
William Shakespeare
What are you waiting for?
