THERE IS AN USAIN BOLT IN ALL OF US

Usain in his signature pose. Shooting for the stars in his discipline
Credit: http://www.fih.ch/ 

The London 2012 Olympics was a festival that will endure in the minds and hearts of millions of people for years to come. It was marked by the breaking of old records and invariably the setting of new ones, and the creation of new stars in various events. Of all the stars that graced the festival, one reigned supreme. It was the indomitable, incomparable Usain Bolt. He breezed through the 100 metres and 200 metres events like there was no real competition for him. And indeed, there was no real competition for the super athlete.

Once again Bolt is first to cross the line, earning him the gold
Credit: http://www.footballworldcupnews.com/

I vividly recall a group of young ladies gushing about Usain Bolt's athletic prowess and dominance as he took to the track for the start of a 100 metre race at the Olympics. II also remember the look of jealousy on the faces of nearby young boys as they wished that they were in Bolt's spiked shoes and the object of the ladies' praises.

You see, the fact simply is that there is an Usain Bolt in all of us. All it takes is the identification of what you are good at - and also passionate about - the discipline to dedicate ourselves to the development of our talent/gift/craft, and the boldness to grasp the opportunities that will eventually come your way. Discipline, like I said in one of my earlier posts (DISCIPLINE YOURSELF FOR SUCCESS' SAKE) is the most crucial ingredient for success. Without it no great success can be achieved. However the fact remains that no matter how disciplined you are and adept at your craft, success will elude you if you lack the courage to jump at opportunities to exhibit your talent and begin your journey on the narrow, rarely-taken path of success (it is not a destination). 

For instance, regardless of how good a footballer is, if he does not go for football club trials or play in public places where he can be discovered by a scout, his chances of ever playing professional football are at best slim and at worst, nonexistent. If Usain Bolt had not exhibited his athletic potential at Primary and Secondary School, he would never have had the opportunity to take part in the 2001 IAAF World Youth Championships in Debrecen, Hungary - where his performance was not nearly as distinguished as it always is nowadays -  which was a stepping stone to greater things such as his dominance at the Beijing 2008 Olympics and 2012 London Olympics.

Catch me if you can:Usain Bolt Coasts home with ease in the 100m final at London 2012.
Credit:Credit: http://www.independent.co.uk

It will always remain a fact that for success to be attained, preparation and preparedness must meet opportunity; preparation (the honing of one's talent/gift) and the preparedness (readiness) to seize any opportunity that presents itself. Go on then, give your inner Usain Bolt a chance to shine.

THE ONE THING!!! WHAT IS YOURS??

I am currently reading a book entitled THE ONE THING by Gary Keller (With Jay Papasan). I must say that this book is a must read for anyone truly serious about attaining great heights in any area of life and achieving one's set goals. However, the truth that this book teaches is nothing new. It is not a groundbreaking, recently-realised truth. It is a truth that has been around for ages and has been utilised by people of years gone by who have achieved great success. People like Warren Buffet, Bill Gates and corporations like Apple, Coca Cola and Pepsi. These people and corporations realise that the attainment of resounding success is a function of the ability of the pursuer or seeker of success to focus on The One Thing. This is an incontestable truth.

The disciplined channelling of all your energies into one endeavour or closely-related group of endeavours is the surest route to the attainment of success. The only way to experience a Breakthrough is to keep hitting or chipping at an obstacle until you BREAK THROUGH. Focus and Persistence are key. Today, I read somewhere that 80% of what is needed  to achieve success is simply turning up, in other words Persistence. Publilius Syrus was of the opinion that "To do two things at once is to do neither" and this addresses the need for focus or concentration on a particular goal or objective.

Do you know your one thing; the one thing that you should be focused on and working towards achieving? The one thing that when done will set-up a chain reaction (domino effect) that will lead to the achievement of much greater feats (even things not among your goals)? As I read on, I will endeavour to share more insights - and remind those who already know these things - gained from this book. Seek out your one thing daily and have a lovely, fruitful day.