Rejection? Naysayers? Laziness? Doubt? Lack of focus?
Obviously, I hope your answer is that you won't let anything stop you!
But the reason I bring this up is because Monique and I have had quite a start to the new year already.
- We've been robbed.
- We've been insulted.
- We've even received a nice little letter from the IRS saying we owe even MORE money.
As you can imagine, we were a little shaken up by the robbery.
We came home to find our doors unlocked and some things missing.
Someone used a key, which means it was someone we know.
Things aren't going well with my family, either -- I haven't spoken with my mom for over a year.
I've also lost some "friends" over the last year.
They couldn't handle the fact that I wanted to be better, DO better, achieve more.
So they got jealous and did things jealous people do.
- They put me down.
- They told me about all the things that can go wrong.
- They tried to bring me back down to their level.
I guess this is more comfortable for them.
So right now you're probably thinking, "Jeez Derek, why the buzzkill? The new year has just started and you're already being negative."
I'm just bringing this up because this is real life!
Obstacles are going to arise for everybody.
Yours might be different than mine, but you will have obstacles this year.
And the question is, will you let them stop you?
Will you let these things get in your way?
This is what happens to New Year's Resolutions year after year after year.
It's easy to do.
In fact, most people choose to focus on their obstacles, instead of overcoming them.
But I'll tell you this -- NOTHING is going to stop me!
You think you have it rough?
Try being Jesus.
Or Martin Luther King, Jr.
Or Ghandi.
Or the soldiers who fought in Vietnam.
Or Joan of Ark.
Or one of the millions of starving African kids who have lost their parents to AIDs.
There's always someone out there who has it worse than you do.
But you can be EXTRAORDINARY if you keep your focus and accomplish your goals in the face of adversity.
Do you know what Monique and I have been doing since we came back to find our house was robbed?
We went back to work.
Because NOTHING is going to stop us!
NOTHING!
Are you willing to do what it takes to make your dreams come true?
Are you willing to make the sacrifices necessary?
Are you willing to step out of your comfort zone and push yourself to be more than you ever thought you could be?
Are you willing to be ridiculed?
Scrutinized?
Tested?
If so, you are extraordinary.
You are a unique human being, my friend.
And I'm glad to be a part of your journey, if only in some small way.
One of my heroes and all-time favorite musicians, Bob Marley, was ambushed and shot at his home one night for political reasons.
In December 1976, two days before "Smile Jamaica", a free concert organized by the Jamaican Prime Minister Michael Manley in an attempt to ease tension between two warring political groups, Marley, his wife, and manager Don Taylor were wounded in an assault by unknown gunmen inside Marley's home. Taylor and Marley's wife sustained serious injuries, but later made full recoveries. Bob Marley received only minor injuries in the chest and arm. The shooting was thought to have been politically motivated, as many felt the concert was really a support rally for Manley. Nonetheless, the concert proceeded, and an injured Marley performed as scheduled.When someone told him, "You've been shot -- Why not take a day off?" he said:
"The people trying to make this world worse are not taking a day off! How can I? Light up the darkness!"
Here's the song Bob Marley wrote about the incident:
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Derek! Ah,h,h WHAT a blog posting! You have moved me enough to actually reply.…The darkness always pushes against the Light to see if you will continue to stand firm! I know this from personal experience. And I am here to stand WITH you, in courage and strength, in case you need a rest, in case you wonder if anyone cares how YOU are doing, and so you know you ARE NOT alone in your efforts! I believe our individual strengths become extraordinary with the support of like-minded community…and TOGETHER, as one body, we can affect even greater change, make a bigger difference, create Miracles and truly BE LIGHT! …Thank for sharing honestly, Derek! Blessings & Hugs, Jana
Jana, thank you so much for the kind words!
That’s one thing I didn’t mention in the article — that I’ve met so many great people on this journey…
YOU Light It Up!
This is your BEST blog yet. It moved me! So few people are authentic-great job Derek!
Monique Alvarez
http://ILoveLeaders.com
Not Even the Kitchen Sink…
Wow Derek,
Have you ever heard of eating that live frog first thing in the morning?
Sounds like the rest of your year will be a walk in the park ;-)
Isn’t it odd how those around us tend to get threatened when we choose to grow and better ourselves. Makes you wonder if you really need “friends”.
Thanks for this post,
We’ll catch up soon, I’m sure of it.
Your buddy,
Mitchell Dillman
http://mitchelldillman.com/partner-with-mitchell/
Walk in the park
I love it — eating a frog in the morning!
I’m going to take your advice on the walk in the park — I’ll take my little dog, Charlie Parker ;)
We do need to talk, because I’ve found some of my favorite people through this forum and Social Media.
And I like your style — I can tell you’re going places, Mitchell.
It’s exciting to watch ;)
Straight to the heart
Derek,
This is your best blog, I agree. I love how you speak about your Mindset and feeling just unstoppable. That, comes across your pages.
True leaders are honest and get respect. Keeping it real like this will attract the right people that will strengthen your business. You and Monique are Marching On!!!
Kathy Marshall
http://www.KathyJMarshall.com
Unstoppable
Thanks Kathy,
We’ll keep marching. I’m glad to see we have company ;)
Great Song!
Great post. Very inspiring and true. We can’t let anything hold us back if we truly want something. It’s really helpful to remember all of the obstacles that so many great people had to overcome to accomplish what they did.
I love “Ambush in the Night” and the whole “Survival” album. Thanks for the Marley reference.
http://www.JasonOsborn.net
Bob Marley Albums
I have them all! My favorite is probably “Kaya.”
Glad to meet another Marley fan, Jason!
Inspiring!
Derek,
Very inspiring true story.
We can see the conviction in your voice and a message straight from your heart. Great post.
Sekhar
http://Path2Millionaire.com
Inspiration
Thanks Sekhar,
I get so much inspiration from everyone else around here, so it feels good to be able to give a little.
It’s All About What We Focus On
Hi Derek,
What an inspiring article.
Your statement, “most people choose to focus on their obstacles, instead of overcoming them.” is so true.
What you focus on expands so it looks like you are in for an awesome year as you have chosen to focus on possibilities instead of obstacles.
You are in the trenches right now and setting a great example for the rest of us to follow and be inspired by.
Thanks,
Ruth
Fun in the trenches
Thanks Ruth,
I’m glad to be “in the trenches” — getting dirty and having some fun!
A Great Inspiration
Hi Derek
This was a fantastic article. A lot of us have that internal struggle of focusing on either something negative or something positive. It’s basically on how you perceive life. The people focus on the glass as being half empty always wonder why nothing goes right for them.
The ones that focus on the glass being half full always finds a way to make the best out of a situation. These are the ones that become successful in whatever venture that they’re in.
Thanks Again,
Sherman
Happy to have something in the glass
Yes Sherman,
I totally agree — it’s all about attitude. It’s funny, though, some people get annoyed by “positive thinking.”
Go figure…
Thank you for the post
I also feel your post was heartfelt and to the point.
For so many years I have met countless souls living life with eyes directed on the “Rear View Mirror”
My businesses have been built on the foundation of FOCUSED Planning and execution, regardless of distraction form the Social Environment.
And that “lonelines” that some experience can easily be mitigated by Forming Strong Mastermind Alliances. Some of mine are close to 50 years old.
You and your followers will enjoy my recent post
http://youcanbuild.it/you-can-build-it/focus-2010-building-your-business
Chuck Bartok
http://www.focussociety.com
http://www.youcanbuild.it
http://www.beginnersmarketingclass.com
530−798−0245
Recognize failure, then move on…
Thanks Chuck,
Have you ever read “The One Minute Salesperson”?
He has some great advice on focusing on what’s working by acknowledging when you screw up, giving yourself a quick scolding, and moving on.
Your idea of writing the negatives down along with the positives, then tearing the negatives up and tossing them in the trash reminded me of that…
Way to go!
I’m sorry, Derek, that you had such a rough start into the new year. But it looks like you just ‘dusted yourself off’ and went right back at it again. Your article is very inspiring and I am glad you shared it with us.
You are absolutely correct, most people in this world have it much worse than we do…Especially us, who live in the United States. We absolutely have nothing to complain about.
Thanks for the reminder and putting everything into perspective!
Wishing you an awesome rest of the year!
Thankful to be born in U.S.A.
You are so right, Ilka.
We are blessed to be from the U.S.
It’s up to us all to keep it a great place by succeeding and helping others do the same.
What’s next?
Derek I love this post. It is inspiring. Although most of us haven’t been robbed or gone through some of the same things, I’m sure we can all relate to the hardships that come about as we reach for something higher.
How dare we try to improve our lives! lol.
Keep looking forward, nothing we can do about the past, but there is a lot we can do for our future!
Looking forward
“How dare we try to improve our lives! lol.”
Susanna, I couldn’t sum it up any better, myself.
The interesting part, to me, is that I would gladly share this journey with any of my friends or family.
Luckily, I have met some amazing people over the last year who I would have never met otherwise.
That has been a blessing that I am very grateful for.
You Nailed It!
Derek,
You are well on your way to achieving great things. I think I heard it from Jay Kubassek that 90% of your success comes from mindset. Only 10% from skillset. Sounds like you are right on with your mindset. Keep it up!
Thanks for sharing and best of times to you for the rest of the year. Should be a piece of cake after your start!
Live Great!
Mary Thayer
http://www.fasttrackstrategy.com
Mind over matter
Yes, Mary — I can see how this works!
My MIND keeps forcing me to LEARN the skillsets.
P.S. I guess cake wouldn’t taste so good if that was the ONLY thing I had to eat (LOL)
Wow. Thank you for the inspration. I was told once that sometimes we go through things for other people. Meaning, the grace that we display as we go through, will show others the grace they should also display when they come through. Many blessings to you both. I am thankful you two are safe. The World Needs You.
Blessings
Thanks Kalise,
Thanks you for the blessings and just know that the world needs you, as well. It’s been a joy to get to know you.
Thank-you.
Hi Derick,
Thanks for reminding us of what’s important, & to remember to never, ever give up. Best of success your way my friend.
Tony
Never give up
You’re welcome, Tony!
I figure we only have one shot on this Earth — might as well go for it, right?
Just What I Needed
What never ceases to amaze me is that the people that you thought you were close to are the ones who seem to try and drag you back into your box. Never allow that to happen. Always be true to yourself. Sounds easy. Not so much. Thanks for the motivation, Derek.
Jim Rohn’s Advice
What helps me when stuff like that happens is thinking about one of my favorite Jim Rohn sayings.
Instead of wondering why people do the things they do,
Jim Rohn says:
“I wouldn’t sign up for that class!”
Glad you found the post useful, Sam.
–Derek
Great post Derek„„ It always encourages people when someone keeps their “chin to the wind” : – )) and it always is darkest right before sun comes up. 2010 is going to be your best year ever and by reading your posts, people will be able to understand why. What you focus on truly does expand, so the less we focus on the negative, the quicker it fades over the horizon.
“for things to get better, I must get better” and you are living proof of that