Creating Success from the Inside Out: Develop The Focus and Strategy To Uncover the Life You Want

II.1. The Black Hole of Excuses

Two of the most powerful things that have given me the successes I've had in my life are not accepting the words: "You can't do that," and not giving myself excuses for failure. My determination has always been to do the things necessary to accomplish my goals and dreams, to make things happen instead of waiting for something to happen.

When I decided to create video games, I stayed focused on doing that and I didn't stop until it happened. When I saw a need for a job search portal for teens, I did what it took, including making financial presentations to adults three and four times my age, and getting their money for my business. When the opportunity came to take on my first big real estate development, I took on tasks I didn't even know were going to be required... whatever it took. And in the energy resources field I'm in totally unknown territory, but I have the vision and we'll do whatever is necessary to make it succeed.

But what I have learned along the way is that most people aren't comfortable committing, aren't ready to do, actually do, what needs to be done to really achieve their goals. They like the idea of success but not the commitment and hard work to get it. They never realize their full potential and never seize the opportunities that are right in front of them because they can't stop thinking of all the negative reasons why they can't reach their goals. There's a great, old poem about this that one of my mentors sent me. This ...