Ambition...A Dirty Word?

Oprah likes the word.

Donald Trump doesn’t.

Some people consider it a dirty word. Others believe it’s a necessity.

By definition, ambition is an ardent desire for rank, fame, or power and is almost always directed toward a particular end.

I will admit to using the word to convey the type of desire necessary to achieve a particular goal. However, I understand how the emphasis on rank, fame, and power can be perceived as negative.

Here’s the thing, to have an ardent desire to become the best you in every area of your life is a healthy-- and I believe a necessary goal. You should always desire to do better, be better, and achieve more. However, rank, fame, and power should not be your driving force. If you desire to become a lawyer, doctor, speaker, photographer, or restaurateur because you think it will make you famous and not because you believe in the work and believe you can add value to that particular industry, your potential clients will receive that message loud and clear; and your success will ultimately be short lived.

Speaking of Oprah and Donald Trump…

Although they have both achieved all of the money, rank, fame and power most can only dream of attaining, neither of them set out to achieve just that. What they both set out to do was be the best at what they did best and the rank, fame, and power was just a part of the package.

Those who seek riches will spend all of their days seeking.

Do you use the word ambition? Are you motivated by rank, fame, or power?

To Blog…Nakeia

It's Only Common Sense.

Common Sense is a concept that has been up for debate for decades. Philosophers, Mathematicians, and Politicians all believe there may be room for it, in some form, in their industries, however it’s still debatable. Although I am a self proclaimed part-time philosopher, I am certainly not a mathematician or politician. In my industry (Personal development/growth), common sense is a necessity and there is no debating that.

Here is a working definition for Common Sense that I like to use:

Good sense and sound judgment in practical matters.

Most of the time, we get caught up in methods, formulas, and self-help books, blogs, and speeches; when all we really need to do is apply a little bit of common sense.

The next time you need to decide on a plan of action, the next time you need motivation to quit a bad habit, the next time you find it hard to get eliminate someone that is causing you pain, just ask yourself this question:

Does what I am doing, plan to do, or need to do make sense?

To Blog…Nakeia

The Focus Factor 2

I have learned the hard way that it is impossible to be good at everything. Yes, I have several abilities, talents, and gifts, but the thing that I focus on the most will always be the thing that I am good at. Everything else will just be okay. It is okay to be okay at a hobby, a weekend sport, or an online recreation, but when it comes to what matters, like your career, your family, and your personal growth, you must be good. The only way to be good at something is to spend time focusing on it.

To focus is to concentrate effort and attention on a particular thing or to adjust your vision so that you see clearly and sharply, or become adjusted for clear vision (Encarta Dictionary).

Today, take some time to adjust your vision towards the things that matter and concentrate your effort and attention on creating the life you desire.

Here are two things that you can do today to adjust your focus:

Revisit your 2011 List of Goals.

Create a plan that will allow you to do at least one thing each day that will get you closer to achieving your goal.

Success is focusing the full power of all you are on what you have a burning desire achieve. ~Wilfred Peterson

To Blog... Nakeia