I Believe In Man

I have a deep and abiding belief that there lies within every person the capacity for greatness. I don't mean the old adage that you can become anything you want to be -- I'm more receptive to Peter F. Drucker's admonition to not "waste time trying to put in what the creator left out." But the potential of almost every person is far above his or her level of achievement. That so few rise to their potential does not in any way diminish the validity of this belief. We often see some obscure person rise apparently from nowhere to leadership of a cause or a movement, giving proof to the idea that this capacity lies dormant within each and every one of us.

We've been conditioned by life and by the authority figures we grew up with to recognize and accept ourselves as we are, with severe restrictions on our abilities. We were taught to accept our role and station in life without whining, that the ability to accept and endure our lot shows strength and character. So long as we are prepared to go through life accepting that which fate has thrust upon us as our ordained destiny, so too are we condemned, by our own resignation, our own self depreciation, to the ranks of mediocrity. Others may put me down but the choice to stay down is mine alone.

If we can find within ourselves the courage to challenge fate, to say to her and to the entire world, "I am not ordinary. I will not accept that it is my destiny to live out my life in a humdrum existence, doing things of little consequence, never dreaming, never daring to reach for more.", then we have forced open the door to, at least the possibility of greatness. Leadership writer Paul J. Meyers said, " there is in our world a vast storehouse of plenty which is approached by some with a steam shovel, by others with a tea spoon."

"What", you ask, "if I spend my entire life in pursuit of this fantastic dream yet never achieve it? I will feel robbed, cheated, let down, betrayed."

Who suffers the worse fate, the man who fights to no avail with every fibre of his being for that in which he truly believes or the man who spends his life whining, "I could have been a contender"? "Man's goals should exceed his grasp, else what's a heaven for." (Robert Browning )

Of all the peoples in the world we, who live in Canada and The United States -- countries built on and by the impossible dreams of men and women of vision and courage, determined to soldier on in the face of horrendous odds -- have the least excuse for believing in our limitations, for accepting our fate. With the hundreds of larger than life legends in our heritage, how can we dare to not believe in our own incredible potential?

All of us in North America, indeed throughout the world, must relearn this ability to "dream the impossible dream" and to bring to bear the necessary resources, belief, determination and courage to make our dreams come true.

I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul.(source unconfirmed)

Len McNally is President and founder (in 1996) of The Leadership Centre, dedicated to leadership development, management team building and change management through executive and corporate coaching - from the top floor to the shop floor. With more than thirty years experience in sales, marketing and business development Len has for many years been an avid student of psychology, behavior and motivation. He still reads three to four books a month and has writen several book reviews for Amazon.com. He can be reached at (519) 759-1127 or email: the.leadership.centre@sympatico.ca. Other articles may be seen at: http://www.tlc-leadership.com

More Resources

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
Most of us don't want to admit we have a dark side. And from that dark side we do attract some ugly stuff.
Great Things Cannot Happen Without Change
If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got.It's critical that we realize our lives can change at any moment.
Once Upon A Time There Was No Money
Once in a while a book comes along that can change your way of thinking for the better. A book that free's the mind of its old limitations.
Five Ways to Sharpen Your Sense of Humor and Improve Your Relationships
Humor has long been considered one of the most effective tools to judge the quality of any relationship. If there is laughter present you can be sure the relationship is a healthy one.
Why and How You are Caught Up?
Speed Up the Evolution!1. Check the area where you are making greatest efforts.
What Image Are You Projecting?
I want you to think about something for a few moments. Do you have any perception about what sort of image you are projecting? I'm talking about the personal or professional image that you are presenting to the rest of the world.
Respect Is A Four-Letter Word
One of the most important needs for every human being is the need to be respected. It doesn't matter if you or anyone else is a corporate executive, host of your own television show, short-order cook, Wal-Mart greeter or stay-at-home parent.
Speak Up!
Ever been in a meeting with something important to say and remained silent? You may have felt the flush of the good idea and the rising adrenalin. You may have moved to the front of your seat and readied your body to speak.
Abundance or Scarcity: What Belief Do You Choose to Engage?
For the last several years, I have included on my email signature the following salutation "Peace and Abundance." This is a daily reminder that my success begins with how I engage my beliefs.
What Do You See When You Look In The Mirror?
'Image & Professionalism' we hear these words being thrown around in conversation like cheap tokens, almost as frequently as their counterparts 'quality', 'service', and 'value'. So what does 'Image & Professionalism' really mean, and what do you see when you look in the mirror?A funny thing happens when you overuse a word.
How To Be Interesting
Most people want to be liked appreciated loved and adored but why those same people are taken as boring while they try so hard?As you know by now, I like to make a point by telling stories and I have just the right story for YOU.This summer I had a cross country meeting in Athens, it was a very profitable year for me and I was one of the lead spokesperson.
The Universal Law of Attraction Never, Ever Goes On Strike
There are numerous sources on the store bookshelves and the Internet that cover the topic of how our Consciousness shapes ourreality through thought and feeling..
Limited Thought, Limited Experience
I was reminded once again the other day about how well we limit ourselves and take on the values of others and their limitations.I was in one of our morning sales meetings and just barely awake trying to concentrate on other things.
Courage to Change
This is a story about a woman we will call Anne, a thirty-five-year-old woman who concluded that she could never find a man. She determined that loneliness was her fate and thus went as far as accepting it as fact.
The Gift
Welcome to The Gift - a simple pattern that is both ancient as well asmodern, with a thousand and one uses, that can make the world a different place for you, for the people you love, for the people you don't love, and for those who you haven't even met yet.It may be that the act of giving The Gift can make changes at a far widerlevel too; as more and more minds become involved in this wonderful process, wemight well have the opportunity to permanently influence matters on a profoundplane of reality.
Pretending Your Life As You Want It - True Power Series
This is the sixth article in our "True Power" series. If you haven't been following the series, visit The ARTrepreneur to read the foundational material on beliefs before continuing.
The Law of Attraction and Love
The Law of Attraction says that 'like attracts like'. It means that whatever your predominate thoughts are will show up as people and experiences in your life.
How To Create The Life You Really Want
Australians are losing their laidback, carefree reputation, as we continue to work longer hours, exercise less and neglect our leisure and family time. Recent research indicates that 67 per cent of Australian professionals spend at least 20 hours a week thinking about their job when they should be relaxing, and less than half take their entitled annual leave.
Better Tame The Bull, Or, Youll Eat The Crow!
A man can stand a lot? as long as he can stand himself. Success is never Final and Failure is never fatal.
Law-of-Attraction Article: Wake Up and Create Something
It's time for the "mainstream" to WAKE UP. The alarm clock is ringing, they keep hitting snooze, and in the meantime, the life they could be living is passing them by.

More Attraction Information:

Related Articles

The Real Secret of Attraction
The secret of attraction is the unconscious hope for healing and understanding. This is why we are so discriminating in our choice of a marital partner.
How To Invite Positive Change In Your Life
Gnothi seauton,, said Socrates. "Know thyself.
A Sweep of Vanity: How To Burst Your Own Bubble
"Hoy-day! What a sweep of vanity comes this way!" --William Shakespeare, "The Life of Timon of Athens"If there's one characteristic we hope we don't have, it's vanity. We'd rather be considered aggressive, driven, petty, even mean than have others feel that we think too much of ourselves.
Searching for Higher Ground: 24 Hours to a Better Life
There's a moment in one of my favorite films, Searching for Bobby Fischer, where 7-year-old chess prodigy Josh Waitzkin's chess teacher knocks all the pieces off his chess board, in an effort to get him to concentrate deeper on the way the pieces on the board were strategically aligned.As the pieces go flying, scattering noisily about the room, Josh is at first stunned that his teacher would have done such a thing.
A Story Of Unbelievable Persistence
Dick and Jay sat on the ground outside the shed. The rain pelted down on them.
Prosperity on Purpose for a Purpose
Whilst everyone seems hell bent on becoming "wealthy" at all costs, the desire to become prosperous has seemed to fall to the background.I see building ones wealth as very one dimensional.
Your Life and Prosperity Are In Your Reputation!
"Your good name and your reputation are EVERYTHING! ? Protect them at all costs!" my father used to say to me when I was a lad.Even at a young age, I knew there was something important in what my dad was trying to tell me.
Transformational Counseling - Part One
Transformational Counseling is a process of assisting others to transform their lives. Transformational Counseling is a process of assisting others in their reinventing themselves, of creating a life that they love and living it powerfully.
The Fastest Way To Manifest Your Desires
Is there a way to change your life condition, and manifestyour desires at the fastest possible speed?YES! Definitely! There is a secret that can make youmanifest your desires in the fastest possible wayyou can imagine. I am going to share with you thissecrets now.
Attraction Tools for Success: Manifesting Your Intentions
There are several books now that discuss the power of thought and I have been experimenting with the concept for the past few years. I understand the concept that "like things" attract more "like things".
Dreams
When I was a kid sitting in school I can remember looking out the window daydreaming of mountains, and skiing. These were just a few things I dreamed of doing.
I Like to be Unreasonable
"Progress is made by only unreasonable man" -- Gorge Bernard ShawUnusual is something people dislike to have in their life. It is a change design to alter all the circumstances and environment around you.
Achieving Your Vision of Abundance
How can we have more abundance in our lives? It begins by noticing the abundance that we already have.We cannot experience abundance yesterday or tomorrow.
You Teach People How to Treat You
So often we hear people ask the question, "Why does he/she/they treat me/us so badly?". The honest answer, in most cases, is "Because you let him, her or they!"If that seems too simple an answer, think of it this way.
Why Character and Integrity Are So Important
It's been said that character is defined by what you do when you think no one is watching. What an illuminating concept that is.
Awaken The Genie Within
Ancient lore tells us that there's a magical genie who lives in a lamp and the person who possesses that lamp has the power to invoke wishes and desires beyond our wildest dreams.If I told you that Genie lives in you, would you believe me? Maybe not.
Creating Your Own Destiny
If you don't know where you are going, you won't know how to get there. How can you get a sense of purpose or meaning in life unless you have dreams or visions of what you want to achieve? Goals are dreams with deadlines, which propel you on your journey of self-discovery and self-achievement.
The Art of Perfecting the Life
First of all, you have to trust that you are perfect at the core of your original mind, at the centre of your heart. Pull out the energy from the thoughts of your own unworthiness which the personality has acquired through the unconscious identification of memory.
What Image Are You Projecting?
I want you to think about something for a few moments. Do you have any perception about what sort of image you are projecting? I'm talking about the personal or professional image that you are presenting to the rest of the world.
Small Steps And Golden Stones
It was a long walk but someone had to do it. And today it was upto Tori to carry the water from the river, through the fieldsand across the valley, back to the camp.