How Do You Measure Up?

It seems like just yesterday I was standing in my family room with tear-filled eyes singing “Here I am baby…signed sealed delivered I’m yours!” Not only had I had an opportunity to witness history, I got the chance to help make history by campaigning and voting for President Barack Obama. I can remember feeling so excited that night. Although I felt he had a good chance of winning, I kept thinking about those hanging chads that kept Al Gore out of the White House. What I quickly learned was that when you commit yourself to a goal or purpose whole heartedly, destiny will meet you half way. It is not enough to expect greatness (even though belief and expectation are necessary,) you have to put in the work that is required to reach the goal. Destiny is chauffer driven to your door by Work. The greater the effort, the greater the success.

Often I talk to people who are frustrated because they haven’t figured out their true purpose but I believe that sometimes purpose reveals itself after you have began working on something or at something. Seriously, do you think that President Obama knew that he was destined to be the first black president of the United States? I think that he lived a life where mediocrity was unacceptable. I believe that he pursued excellence in all of his endeavors, no matter how small. He understood that opportunity doesn’t always present itself on a silver platter. Sometimes opportunity has to be unearthed with a rusty shovel.

I remember seeing a picture of President Obama after a long day of campaigning. In the picture you could see a big hole in the sole of his shoe. He had literally walked a hole in his shoe in order to meet potential supporters. How many of us have that level of commitment to achieving our goals?

A year has passed since President Obama was elected and a lot of us are measuring his successes and failures over the course of the year. I hear talk about Afghanistan, Iraq, the economy, healthcare, and dozens of other issues that people are judging him on. I’d like to challenge everyone to think about what you have or have not accomplished since the 2008 election. Redefine yourself and your goals. Shake off any self doubt, roll up your sleeves and take control of your future. It’s true that nothing is impossible and I also believe in destiny, but nothing comes to the man who waits and hopes and dreams without any action. If you want something, you’ve got to develop a plan and put in the work to make it happen. There’s gotta be some worn out pumps and some run down heels. If you’re not tired, you’re not working hard enough. So get yourself a theme song and get out there and live your own impossible dream!