Im certain there is SO MUCH in your life right now that is worth living for.
You have an endless well of untapped potential within you, just sitting dormant.
There is no next opportunity, only the one right in front of you.
Rob Bye
When are you going to start living?
It simply isnt his fate to have the life he wants.
But he doesnt accept that fate.
One scene in the movie is particularly moving.
The first one to turn around and head back for shore loses.
Every time, Vincent was the one to turn around first and swim back to shore.
Rob Bye
However, at the end of the movie, Vincent is changed.
One last time, the brothers step into the water and begin swimming.
Eventually, Anton cries out, Vincent!
Were too far out.
You want to quit?
Were too far out!
You want to quit?
Pausing and considering his safety, Anton pridefully yells, No!
So they keep swimming, further and further out.
Eventually, Anton pauses and calls out, Vincent!
How are you doing this?
Vincent, how have you done any of this?
We have to go back.
No, its too late for that.
We are closer to the other side, Vincent responds.
Do you want to drown us both?
Anton says in frustration.
You want to know how I did it?
Terrified, Anton turns around and desperately begins swimming back to the shore.
Then, rather abruptly, Socrates grabbed the young man and dunked him under the water.
The young man struggled desperately and just before he blacked-out, Socrates pulled him up.
Infuriated, the young man screamed, What are you doing?!
Trying to kill me?
Calmly, Socrates responded, Absolutely not.
If that was my intention, I would not have pulled you up.
Then why did you just do that?
the young man gasped.
Then, he turned to the shore and walked away.
Napoleon Hill
If you want something bad enough, youll make it happen.
However, if you dont want something, even the best of strategies wont serve you.
Unfortunately, most people are incorrectly seeking strategies of how to get success or some other thing.
In this way, they are putting the cart before the horse.
The right strategy will show itself when you are clear on what you want.
So how do you know what you want?
Most people are waiting for an epiphany.
Theyre waiting for someone or something outside of them to rattle or shake them.
Or, they just want a quick fix.
Hence, the focus on strategy and not on vision and values.
Rather than waiting, your only chance at fully living is to proactively do something yourself.
When was the last time you did a workout where you literally put everything into it?
When was the last time you really tried, I mean REALLY tried, at anything?
If youre like most people, youre probably putting half-thought and half-effort into most of what youre doing.
Paul Arden, the famed designer and author,once said, Dont look for the next opportunity.
The one you have in hand is the opportunity.
Instead of waiting for perfection, run with what you got, and fix it along the way.
Interestingly, the research in psychology over the past few years has made a shift.
You change from the inside-out, yes, but also from the outside-in.
And it’s possible for you to leverage that to your benefit.
If you want more motivation, do something about it.
Put your heart into something.
Not the next thing, but the thingright in front of you.
Not into tomorrows workout, but todays workout.
Not into tomorrows work, but todays work.
Not into tomorrows people, but todays people.
AsThomas Monsonhas said,There is no tomorrow to remember if we dont do something today.
Nothing feels better than trying your best.
In his book, Richie Norton begins by telling the story of his sons death.
The painful realization of the fragility of life shook Norton.
He vowed to never waste another day of his short life again.
Today is the day.
The Power of Now
The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago.
The second best time is now.
Chinese Proverb
Look at your life.
Where are you now compared towhere you could be?
Whatshould you have started last week, last month, or even last year?
Wherewould you beifyou had started last week?
Where would you be if you had started last month?
Where would you be if you had started last year?
Where would you be if you had started 5 years ago?
These thoughts may be somewhat depressing, but hiding from them isnt going to help.
The brutal truth is what you must face if youre serious about making your future better than your past.
Your current position in life is a reflection of your previous desires, planning, and choices.
If you want a better future, youll need to make some immediate and powerful changesand choicesright now.
Now is the time.
It willnever be convenientto be and live how you know you should.
If it was convenient, everyone would be living at a much higher level.
There would be no internal conflict.
Its not going to happen for those people.
Conclusion
Im certain there is SO MUCH in your life right now that is worth living for.
You have people in your liferight nowthat youre taking for granted.
You have an endless well of untapped potential within you, just sitting dormant.
There is no next opportunity, only the one right in front of you.
When are you going to start living?
Nothing can stop you once you decide what you want.
