My dog, Gracie, has only one thing on her mind most of the time – food. She is adorable and I love her but if she had to choose between me and a fortune cookie, I would lose every time. Gracie has a clear sense of what comes first for her.
Because you are not an animal, you have the capacity to rise above your natural instincts. Use your mind and will to take charge of your purpose. Discover and, if necessary, re-direct what drives you. What is at the core of your motivation? Scrutinize your values. That knowledge about yourself can unlock amazing power in your life. Remember the objective is not just to get on base but to score; so a clear game plan is a must.
Granted, we all struggle with establishing the correct priorities and sticking to them. But have you ever methodically articulated the priorities you want to embrace? Are you just going with the currents in your life or are you focused on a worthwhile objective? I suggest you inject a little thought and discipline into the process. If you put the right things at the top, every other aspect of your life is more likely to fall into place as it should.
One possible priority could be to put others first. Years ago, a friend of mine offered to introduce me to Mother Teresa in India. I wanted to meet her because she was probably the most famous person of our time to make other people her first priority. She lived it; she didn’t just talk about it. First we determine the direction of our heart and eventually our hands and feet will follow.
People who put others first will always stand out from the crowd. Try to find a way to channel your ambition and energy into something beneficial to others. Maybe the company you work for can give away the product you sell to those in need. Or you can use some of the money you make to help those who are less blessed. If you are stuck in a routine assignment and find it challenging to relate your profession to helping others, then use your spare time to make a contribution to the world around you. If you set your mind to it, you can be a difference-maker.
We are all capable of doing something noble, even if it is less dramatic than Mother Teresa. It all starts with a sense of purpose deep in your heart. Decide what you are most deeply committed to achieving, make sure it is worthwhile and go for it with all your energy.
"Decide what’s important, give it first place in your life and everything else will fall into line."
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