Slow Down

If you don't break from the tensions of daily living, they will break you. Slow down. Breathe deeply. Reflect deeply. Pray deeply. Live deeply. Otherwise you will spend your life feeling like a bulldozer chasing after butterflies or a sparrow in a hurricane.

There is a pattern. It is what leaders, legends, heroes, great achievers, champions, and saints do to excel in their given field. This is the way of excellence, from start to finish. The first thing they do is work out where they are------point A-------and who they are------self knowledge. They take a good, long, hard look at themselves. They establish their needs, talents, and desires. They define and list their strengths and weaknesses. They define who they are and where they are. The very next thing they do is work out where they want to go-----point B. They call that the dream, their goal or ambition. They define it precisely.

Now that they know where they are and who they are-------point A------and where they want to go-----point B-----they establish which path will take them there the quickest. They have a vision. There pull together a plan. It may be imperfect plan, but it is a plan nonetheless. Those who fail to plan can plan to fail. The next thing they do is begin to work the plan. They walk the path. They move in the directions of their dreams. They remind themselves of that goal in every waking moment, of every hour, of every single day. They never let that goal out of their sight. They do not let anything get between them and their goal. They are dedicated to their path and plan. They walk the path with unrelenting energy. They begin to use all their time, effort, and energy in pursuit of their goal. They never give up. Success, excellence, and greatness are not accidents. They are the fruit of discipline. They are the result of a well-implemented plan.

You were born to become the-best-version-of-yourself. This is your essential purpose. Embrace this one solitary truth and it will change your life more than anything you have ever learned. In every situation, simply ask yourself, which of the options before me will help me become the-best-version-of-myself?

Best wishes,
AG