| If you do not begin to change your situation today, you will probably find yourself in the same situation months and years from now. If you do not like what you do, your income, or maybe even yourself, change your future, now. While we do have equal opportunities to excel in our lives, we may not start from the same place in life. Traditionally the person born into a family with money and position was considered fortunate and at an advantage. Yet, all of us, regardless of our family background, race, religion, or age, have the same opportunities. Each of us has an opportunity to attend a prestigious institution of higher learning. It may take a lot more effort to accomplish it though. All of us have the opportunity to play professional football or basketball, but those of us who lack the right body type and quickness have an additional challenge to overcome. We do not start with the same abilities. The person blessed with a high IQ has a special advantage toward academic accomplishments. Yet, if the individual does not use this intelligence properly, he/she loses this advantage. An individual born with athletic build and ability loses the advantage and its opportunities if he/she does not develop these assets. There are many examples of people who used what they had to accomplish their goals. Who would think a man the height of Mugsey Bogues could play in the NBA, the place where only tall men can succeed. Only the smartest people, with a degree from a prestigious university can lead a major corporation. Right? Consider college dropout Bill Gates, the master of marketing and success in our time. We could spend literally hours noting others who took the abilities they had and made the most of them with extra effort and determination, out performing other individuals who had greater opportunities to succeed. We could likewise look at several people who had abilities and opportunities, but squandered them. We have met and known individuals who had money, fortune, and fame, but allowed something or someone to destroy them and their future. Drug or alcohol abuse, ego, poor decisions, or lack of effort can take away the natural advantage some have from birth. You can measure the difference between success and failure more by work ethic and perspiration than by ability. Accomplishments and results determine our success, regardless of our starting place in life. Success comes from work on the practice field, not during the game. Great athletes practice and study their opponent’s weaknesses while working on their own skills until they have developed precision. The successful worker prepares for the opportunities and seizes them when they arrive. Those who obtain great success often need guidance, coaching, and input from others. The coach of a football team, the drill sergeant, and others train and motivate those who listen and follow their instructions. Some do not follow their guidance and face the consequences. If you want your career to succeed, obtain insight and help from people who have had success, or have a special way to provide you with insight. All too often individuals take advice from people they should not. The typical office has plenty of people who will provide you with advice on your career; or how to deal with an incident or situation that occurs. These individuals frequently provide advice with little or limited insight into the results. Consider the source before taking advice. Take advice and counsel from people you want to emulate, or individuals who have special insight. For example, you might describe a medical problem you have to a friend, but you should seek advice from a medical doctor rather than risk your life on the input from a friend. Our lives, our futures, and our income potential result from decisions we make each day. Even the decisions we do not make affect our future. If we do not make a decision and act, probably nothing changes. If your career, lifestyle, and income potential meet your needs, this applies also. Maybe no change needs to occur in your life. Yet, if you do not like your present situation in life, change it now. Do not allow yourself to look back on your life and wish you had done something. Look back on your life and the years that follow and be glad you did make the changes needed to enable you to have the lifestyle you wanted. Do not allow your age, your present financial status, or anything else to prevent you from reaching your goals. The difference between where you find yourself today and where you are in the future comes from the choices or decisions you make, and do not make, today. Tomorrow never comes for any of us.
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