Leading a World Class Life

Every four years the world is given the gift of the Olympics. For a few weeks nations lay down their arms and come together to let their world class athletes compete on a level playing field to see who the best is in the many events. Such amazing athleticism was on display the past few weeks. It boggles the mind what these young men and women can accomplish with their bodies. Great feats of skill and determination bring them to the pinnacle of athletic achievement. Incredible.

As I think about what it takes to become a world class athlete capable of competing at the Olympic level, I realize that there are some foundational lessons for all of us to learn as it relates to becoming world class in whatever we set our hands to.

The secret of how these athletes became world class is found in the combination of two fundamental ideas: Desire and dedication.

A 22 year old man doesn't simply wake up one day and find that he is on the Olympic basketball team. No, it started years before. In fact, it probably started when he was only six or seven years old. Maybe his father took him to a basketball game and that little boy said, "Someday daddy, I am going to be a basketball player." That was the first sign of desire. Desire is key. World class people start with desire. They have to at some point "want it".

But we all know people who dream of big things but never accomplish those dreams, don't we? Why is that? After all, they have desire. They want it. But the engine that drives the dream is dedication. Desire tells you what you want, while dedication is what will get it for you.

Someone may see a young gymnast and say, "Wow, that looks easy." What they don't see or perhaps overlook is the years of practice. The years of getting up at 4:30 every morning and going to the gym before going to school. It is the dedication of the young athlete, the many times of failing in practice, the many times of falling off the equipment and faithfully getting back on that turns a wisher into a world class doer.

A person with desire but no dedication will never achieve much. You must have the powerful combination of both.

So let's take a closer look at each of these and gain some insight into what desire and dedication are all about.

Desire. There are three parts to desire:

. Dreaming
. The Vision
. Focus

First, is dreaming. Have you let yourself dream lately? Just sit down and begin to imagine all of the incredible possibilities your life could become? Spend some time just dreaming.

Next is the vision. Once you dream, you begin to cut back on all of the possibilities and narrow it to what possibility it is that you really want. You begin to create a vision for your life. You begin to see it as you want it.

Lastly under desire is focus. Once you have the vision, you have to really focus in on that dream. This is where you get really specific about what your life is going to look like.

Now for dedication. There are also three parts:

. The Plan
. Beginning
. Perseverance

First is the plan. Without a plan you will drift to and fro. You will certainly not carry out your dream if you do not have a plan. So write it down. Set your goals. Know what you want and how you are going to get there.

Second is the beginning. This may sound simple and yet it is simply profound. Many people have a dream and they even have a plan, but they never begin. So simple: Just start. The first step on the long journey is still just one step. If you have a dream and a plan, take a step in the right direction.

Lastly is to persevere. Every road to every dream has a section or sections that is hard to travel. Every great dream will encounter difficulty. The question isn't whether or not you will encounter trouble, but how you will respond to trouble. Will you quit when the going gets tough or will you persevere? I have found that every successful person I know, myself included, has encountered problems along the way that tempted them to quit. Yet they persevered and achieved their dream.

Let's take a look at the progression. As you do, think about where you are in the progression of becoming a world class dream pursuer.

1. Dream
2. Create a vision
3. Focus the vision
4. Develop a plan
5. Begin to pursue the dream
6. Persevere

Friends, I hope for you the fulfillment of every dream that you have. That is what life is about isn't it? But to do so, I know that you will have to combine your desire with good old dedication. And when you combine those two, you will be well on your way to leading a world class life!

To Your Success,

Jim Rohn

Reproduced with permission from Jim Rohn's Weekly E-zine. Copyright 2005 Jim Rohn International. All rights reserved worldwide. To subscribe to Jim Rohn's Weekly E-zine, go to http://Jim-Rohn.InspiresYOU.com

---

Improvisational

Why are we trying so hard? It is like we... Read More

Anything That?s Worth Doing, Is Worth Doing Poorly

Yes you got it. You read it correctly. We're not... Read More

Surefire Ways to Develop a Thankful Attitude

Spend some time thinking about how good you have it.... Read More

Why You Are Special and Why Does It Matter

Why 'you are special'?Why and how does it matter?Things you... Read More

Time for Sunshine

Having spring around makes you feel different after such a... Read More

Have You Voted Today

Huh? You're probably wondering when this article was written, and... Read More

Rightful Owner

Direct Answers - Column for the week of January 20,... Read More

Anamcara - Being Forever Enough

When was the last time you felt you were enough... Read More

Discover The Magic Of Doing What You Love

Do what you love to do and give it your... Read More

Why Are We So Lost? The Journey Home

Did you ever wonder how you ended up where you... Read More

Energy Work Basics Part 3: The Power of High Intention

At SPIRIT Connections, we believe that the most powerful tool... Read More

The Art of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is a critical element in becoming self actualized and... Read More

Relax. Its Just Your Life

What am I supposed to do with my life? Shouldn't... Read More

?Back to CYA on a Mission?

Six former wards came back to the California Youth Authority... Read More

Consulting Your Soul

Recently I approached a traffic light where a man stood... Read More

Don?t Let the Boogeyman Steal Your Dreams

The boogeyman lurking in the closet scares the bejesus out... Read More

Information -- Schminformation, Enough Already!

We are drowning in it, our grey matter is swollen... Read More

Even the Smallest Sound

You are probably in front of your computer screen at... Read More

Faith Like a Child

Jonathan:¡§This is my brother, Jonathan¡¨. They walked into the room... Read More

Purpose filled Lives --The Big Picture!

"Can't see the forest because of the trees," heard it... Read More

Who Are The Underminers?

How many of you had the experience growing up of... Read More

A Life Touched

Direct Answers - Column for the week of February 17,... Read More

Stand Up!

One of the most undervalued blessings is God's will to... Read More

Adversity to Victory

The following is a true story about a young friend... Read More

How To Develop A Grateful Mind (The Best Medicine)

There is one sure fire medicine that cures all difficulty... Read More

Its Better to Give than to Receive

"It's better to give than to receive." You've probably heard... Read More

Escape into Reality and Find Love

The early months of this year brought major challenges, as... Read More

Fighting Grief: The Time To Show You Care

The news came as a shock to us all. He... Read More

Lifetime of Discoveries: Moments of Peace and Renewal

There are discoveries all around us—small gifts of joy that... Read More

Practice Being Like a Child

Remember the master teacher once said 2000 years ago, "Unless... Read More

Does Introspection Assist in Self Progression?

Why would we need to examine our lives? What benefit... Read More

Arranging Stepping-Stones

The greatest achievements were obtained by those who took one... Read More

You Reap What You Sow

There is an old principle: You reap what you sow.... Read More