Do More! Learn More! Create More! Live More!

Over the years in America and the west generally, the nature and means of education have dramatically changed. But it is an error to think that before the contemporary era of schooling on a mass scale that no one was deeply or broadly educated. Many in colonial America were exceptionally well-educated, yet largely self-taught or taught by a tutor or mentor. Such was the case with scientist, lawyer, theologian, statesman, patriot and father of seven, Roger Sherman.

In his astonishingly productive life as one of the leading citizens of colonial America, Sherman studied privately with Rev. Samuel Danbar, worked as a shoemaker and then as a land surveyor and an author of an almanac filled with astronomical calculations. He read for the bar (as was the custom of his day) and became a lawyer, though he did not earn a college degree. He also read deeply in theology and received an honorary degree from Yale, where he became treasurer. He was even a professor of religion for many years.

Sherman was widely respected and known in Connecticut, as a list of the legislative, judicial and executive positions to which he was elected demonstrates: both houses of the Connecticut legislature, justice of the peace, judge of the Superior Court of Connecticut, member of the Continental Congress, delegate to the Constitutional Convention, Mayor of New Haven, member of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate.

Sherman is the only member of the Continental Congress who signed the Articles of Association of 1774, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the United States Constitution. He died at the age of 71 and was buried near his beloved Yale. Not bad for a man who was not a college graduate.

That is all well and good; but, you are likely asking, what does the life of Sherman mean for us today? I think a few things:

First, the next time you think that you have learned enough about a topic or about your profession, well, then, consider taking up another! Men like Sherman never stopped learning, even though they did not have the benefit of easy access to schools. A good strategy to get that extra skill or body of knowledge is to commit to writing a book about the topic, then start your research. That is precisely the approach of Paul Johnson, the British journalist and historian. He decides he wants to learn something. So he goes to the library and starts reading. Eventually he produces a book on the topic. Then he starts again. Not a bad way to earn a living, if you think about it.

Second, commit yourself to making an impact in your community. Sherman was an elected governmental official for most of his adult life. He played an enormous role in American history during the country's formative years. Now, you don't necessarily have to run for office, but you do need to do something to impact the community beyond your own immediate self-interest and gratification. Figure out what the best approach is for you in light of your gifts, talents and interests. Then start and never look back!

Third, remember this simple truth: life is not about how little you can do, but about how much. Roger Sherman died when he was nominally 71, but probably squeezed 120 years of productivity into that time. Yes, he was an exceptional individual. But he was also one of us, a flesh and blood human being with both strengths and weaknesses. Yet look at all that he did! If Sherman were alive today, he would affirm to you this simple truth: you can do more, be more, learn more and serve your community more than you are currently!

What are you waiting for?

Copyright 2005 Mark Cole

Mark Cole, an attorney, has degrees from Baylor, Yale, Notre Dame & University of Houston. To learn more about how the Great Men can inspire and motivate you, visit http://www.ConversationsFromthePast.com

---

How to Get Rid of Inaction Paralysis!

How many times have you come up with a brilliant... Read More

Tips for Mastering Visualization Techniques

Visualization is creating a mental picture of something. Visualization is... Read More

The Biggest Mistake Youve Made About Manifesting

What is the biggest mistake you have made about manifesting... Read More

Challenge Yourself - Stretch Your Boundaries Daily!

Many times we fall into a sedentary lifestyle because we... Read More

Creativity and Innovation Management - Motivation

Motivation in creativity and innovation is more important than personality... Read More

Trust Your Intuition!

How many times have you been faced with a decision... Read More

Work, Action, Movement -You Cannot Get Anywhere Without It

"You can't get anywhere in anything without work, action, movement..whatever... Read More

Why Do 9 Out of 10 People Never Live Their Dreams?

When we were kids we all had dreams. There were... Read More

L-I-V-E-- 12 Steps to Living Your Life

Many of us only inhabit our lives- we do not... Read More

Whats Your Zipline?

A few years ago, I was with 20 of America's... Read More

Anxiety & Panic ? Make Your Information Work for You

Whether you suffer from anxiety and panic attacks or not,... Read More

Mortgage Marketing - How to Maximize Your Motivation

Do you have the motivation to succeed in the mortgage... Read More

Violating Boundaries: Assert Yourself and Take Charge

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a... Read More

Lego Laws for Life

Just about everybody owns or has owned a bucket of... Read More

DAMAGED

On the J-O-B. That's where I met him. Quentin Cole... Read More

What Gets Your Ass Out Of Bed?

Beep. Beep. Beep. 5:51 am. The alarm is once again... Read More

To Boldly Go

For the first time in many years, Star Trek Fans... Read More

Get Out of Your Comfort Zone - Before Its Too Late

Think about what you're doing each day and ask yourself... Read More

Have You Just Hit The Wall?

Have you hit the 'brick wall' yet?No? Well it won't... Read More

Death by Overwork: Motivationally Speaking Its a Zero

The Japanese have a word for death by overwork: Karoshi.... Read More

How To Harness The Awesome, Unstoppable Power Of Persistence In 4 Easy Steps

Never underestimate the power of persistence!If you persist you really... Read More

How to Overcome Procrastination in 4 Simple Steps

If procrastination is holding you back in life, these 4... Read More

You Want Me to Do What?

Most of the time whenever we need to make an... Read More

Are You Still Stuck on Still?

Are you still "stuck on still?" If so, don't let... Read More

The Untold Truth About Mentors, and Why You DONT Need One

I think there is a misconception about what a mentor... Read More

The Secret Motivation Strategy That Never Fails

No matter how much you want to make your dreams... Read More

That One Thing That Guarantees Your Unlimited Motivation And Success

What can you do when you do not feel like... Read More

Persistence

One of the keys to being successful in anything you... Read More

Finding the Easy Way

For the last hour I have been sweating over what... Read More

Success: 10 Easy Success Tips To Help You Achieve Your Ambitions In Life

I want to wish you good health, long life, success... Read More

Secrets to Motivating Yourself and Others

There is hardly anything more personal that what motivates each... Read More

No Regrets

MY FOUR-MINUTE DANCING CAREERA few years ago, I decided to... Read More

Persistence

Persistence will carve you as a leader in your industry.... Read More