Who are you kidding?

In the story of the Tortoise and the Hare, I imagine when asked to race the hare, the tortoise must have thought to himself, "Who are you kidding?" Respectively, one can say that the hare automatically wins the race hands down because he is, after all, the faster of the two. Truth be told, it does not always take agility and speed to succeed. You must think smarter, feel stronger, communicate better, and rise above challenges opposed to throwing in the towel before you even get to the starting line. That is exactly what the tortoise did. He did not waste time and stuck to the challenge because it was a matter of principle.

 Are you principled? Do you have the discipline to do what it takes to rise and overcome challenges to achieve success? If your heart is in the wrong place, your mind is captivated by fear, and your body just does not want to commit to the goal, then you have your work cut out for you. Like the tortoise, you must lay the groundwork and get an early start so that you can get to the finish line. If you do not even attempt to begin your journey, you can only lay blame on yourself. Having principles means having a rule of conduct that dictates your approach for living. It is a strategic vision that guides your every move. If you have the mindset to accomplish what it is your heart desires then you will make every effort to do just that. Perhaps you may not be as agile and fast as your cohort, but that does not mean that you will not succeed. The proof is in the pudding and the determination that you set for yourself from the onset.

 How far are you willing to go? Wait before you answer that. I want you to think about the necessary steps that you must first take in order to see your goal through from start to finish. Obviously if you want to reach a summit, you must first know which mountain you are going to climb. You must also have all the essential tools: rope, stakes, climbing gear and clothing, survival kit, first-aid kit, a compass and a map. If you start on your trek without a map and compass, you may just be setting yourself up for failure. The same holds true for leaving without the rest of your equipment. Similarly, if you are auditioning for a part in a play, applying for a job, connecting in relationships, etc., you must lay the groundwork and get your ducks in a row to make a successful go at it. So, if you wanted to audition for the part of Romeo, would you not read the story first? You would also want to learn about the types of apparel, the form of communication, and more importantly, the lines that you must know like the back of your hand. If you show up for the play and did not do your homework, how can you expect anyone to take you seriously? Who are you kidding?

  

Practice using those tools at your disposal to learn as much as you can about the target you have in  mind. What do you need to do in order to accomplish it? If you are waiting for success to drop in your lap, I will be the first one to tell you that is not how life works. As the tortoise teaches us, hard work and commitment is the principled path to greatness. Achieving success is a matter of willpower and consistency. Do you have it?  The finish line awaits you.

 Joan Marie Ambrose

  

Author, Creative Writer, Motivational Speaker