2017 could possibly be the year that you pursue a challenge or dream that has been on your mind for a while. Could this be the opportunity for you to: go back to school or take a class, record a song, start a blog, audition for a part, interview for a promotion, start a business, teach a class, pursue a new hobby, try out for a team, write a book, etc.? Whatever it is – by strengthening yourself and your unique skill set – the ripple effect leads to impacting lives beyond your normal sphere of influence.

I continue to be amazed at the link between hard work and perseverance leading to success:

*JK Rowling’s Harry Potter idea was rejected by 12 publishers.

*Magician Criss Angel gets about 4 hours of sleep a night because he is continually perfecting his routine in Vegas. Oh, BTW, he makes over $150 million annually.

*Comedian Jay Leno worked biker bars and had food thrown at him while doing his routine.

*That struggling truck driver named Elvis knew he had something unique to offer to the world of music.

What about you and I? What practical steps can we take to experience a breakthrough in our area that brings us delight? I was recently reviewing notes I took from an “Influence and Impact Seminar” hosted by Micheal Hyatt (a GREAT person to follow on Twitter).  Michael interviewed a wide variety of high achievers. I was fascinated by the common threads each of the individuals had in their personal testimony. Below are four key points I gleaned from their wisdom and experiences.

1) They all had (and continue to have) fear.

“There is something amazing on the other end of your fear.” Pat Flynn

“‘I’m afraid’ is the most common theme, and it is a lie that you’re alone. Become more afraid of not trying something.” Jeff Goins

“Action cures fear. Procrastination and indulgence are really just creditors that charge us interest.” Rory Vaden

“There are trolls, and constructive critics, learn to ignore the trolls.” Crystal Paine

2) They started from humble beginnings and embraced a hard work ethic.

Dave Ramsey typed his first book at the kitchen table using Microsoft Works (yuck!). He would work on the book from 10 pm until 2 am after his children went to bed.

Lewis Howes refers to himself as an “8 year overnight success.” He would offer to apprentice and work for free to learn from the experts in his field.

John Maxwell was the pastor of a church that started with 3 people.

Rory Vaden and a friend divided the Yellow Pages in half to call everyone possible offering to speak their message for free. His philosophy is that “stage time is the secret to being a great speaker.”

Chris Brogan wrote a blog for 8 years that “basically he and his mother read” until he had his first 100 readers.

Jeff Goins quit his job and disciplined himself to write every single day until his first book became published.

3) Their focus changed to serving and adding value to others.

Crystal Paine advises, “Go back to your ‘Why?’ You want to be able to say ‘I did something that mattered with my life.’”

“Serve your audience, earnings are a by-product of how well I’ve served.” Pat Flynn

“It’s hard to be nervous when your heart’s on service.” Rory Vaden

“Every day do something to encourage and add value to people.” John Maxwell

“If your dream is so small and you don’t need a team – you need a bigger dream.” Jeff Goins

4) They make mistakes, have critics, and yet keep moving forward.

“Be prepared for the work and critics, just go do it!” Dave Ramsey

Bob Goff’s view on critics: “They’re smarter than me, they’re probably right, and they’re probably having a bad day.”

“People give up too soon, we want instant success.” Crystal Paine

“Even performing poorly – a goal can be completed. It is a journey over years. People don’t see the work that leads up to the big win. People get discouraged and quit right before the breakthrough.” Lewis Howes

“Our greatest detriment is taking ourselves too serious. Don’t let perfection get in the way. Just laugh at yourself.” John Maxwell

My goal is that one of these phrases or ideas caught your attention, and you want to move from thought to action. Hopefully, 2017 can be our greatest year of impact yet! Who knows, maybe you’ll someday be interviewed for the next “High Achiever Seminar”???

“The world need your gift, and the world needs your story.” Crystal Paine

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:10

Blessings,

Dave 🙂