The Leadership Ark

In 2009, I lost two wonderful friends and mentors. The first was Charlie "Tremendous" Jones - author, speaker, encourager and role model for millions over his long and productive life. Met him a couple of times...always an uplifting experience. His mantra: "You'll be the same person in 5 years time [as you are today] except for two things - the people you meet and the books you read!"

How else could we say that? Environment and knowledge? Role models - both good and bad and 'perspective'? So much of the world of personal development and 'success coaching' can be summed up in this simple approach. Of course it doesn't matter whether our desire for success runs to athletics, career or parenting. To 'have' more; we must 'become' more. Which brings me to my second friend, whom I never personally met, but his loss is felt like the loss of part of my own soul: Jim Rohn.

Jim said it beautifully in his amazing book, Strategies for Wealth and Happiness: "In a few years we shall surely arrive; the question is ...where? You MUST read his book...Anthony Robbins and many other notable success luminaries credit Jim as their first mentor. His second strategy (the first was on goals...setting our sails to take advantage of whatever wind blows our way) was about becoming a student of life..."Seeking Knowledge". He says that "a good idea will seldom interrupt us". Isn't that the truth! We must search out our knowledge. Through books, tapes(sic) CDs, and wise counsel.

I count it a singular blessing in my own life to have been the recipient of good examples and wise counsel (mostly) in my earlier years and the opportunity to draw strength, wisdom and counsel from some extraordinary people through my adult years. At the end of the day, is there anything more rewarding than having actively sought out or qualified for the counsel of someone we respect and then have the opportunity to apply that counsel to produce something of value...to realize 'changed circumstances' not by luck but by deciding to rise above our current conditions and with God's grace, become more than we were by embracing change and a little disciple in our lives?
Let us squeeze everything we can from life's opportunities...everyday.