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DREAMS OF DESTINY

Benjamin Disraeli once said, “A consistent man believes in destiny, a capricious man in chance.” Tony Robbins believes that we all have dreams. We all want to believe deep down in our souls that we have a special gift, thatwe can make a difference, that we can touch others in a special way, and that we can make the worlda better place.

At one time in our lives, we all had a vision for the quality of life that we desire anddeserve. Yet, for many of us, those dreams have become so shrouded in the frustrations and routines ofdaily life that we no longer even make an effort to accomplish them. For far too many, the dream hasdissipated—and with it, so has the will to shape our destinies. Many have lost that sense of certainty thatcreates the winner’s edge. “My life’s quest has been to restore the dream and to make it real, to get each of us to remember and use the unlimited power that lies sleeping within us all,” Robbins says in the preface of his book Awaken The Giant Within.

Most people have no idea of the giant capacity we can immediately command when we focus all of our resources on mastering a single area of our lives. Controlled focus is like a laser beam that can cut through anything that seems to be stopping you. When we focus consistently on improvement in any area, we develop unique distinctions on how to make that area better.

One reason so few of us achieve what we trulywant is that we never direct our focus; concentrate our power. Most people experiment their way throughlife, never deciding to master anything in particular. In fact, Robbins believes most people fail in life simplybecause “they major in minor things.” He believes that one of life’s major lessons is learning to understandwhat makes us do what we do;what shapes human behavior? The answers to this question, he proffers, providecritical keys to shaping your own destiny.

What makes the difference in the quality of people’s lives? How is it that so often people from such humble beginnings and devastating backgrounds manage in spite of it all to create lives that inspire us? Conversely, why do so many of those born into privileged environments, with every resource for success at their fingertips, end up frustrated and often chemically addicted? What makes some people’s lives an example and others’ a warning? What is the secret that creates passionate, happy, and grateful lives in many, while for others the refrain might be, “Is that all there is?”

Robbins’ own magnificent obsession began with some simple questions: “How can I take immediate control of my life? What can I do today that can make a difference—that could help me and others to shape our destinies? How can I expand, learn, grow, and share that knowledge with others in a meaningful and enjoyable way?”

At a very early age, he developed a belief that we are all here to contribute something unique, that deepwithin each of us lies a special gift. You see, “I truly believe we all have a sleeping giant within us. Each of us has a talent, a gift, our own bit of genius just waiting to be tapped. It might be a talent for art ormusic. It might be a special way of relating to the ones you love. It might be a genius for selling orinnovating or reaching out in your business or your career. I choose to believe that our Creator does notplay favorites, that we have all been created unique, but with equal opportunities for experiencing life tothe fullest. I decided many years ago that the most important way I could spend my life would be toinvest it in something that would outlast it. I decided that somehow I must contribute in some way that would live on long after I was gone.”

Today, Tony has the incredible privilege of sharing his ideas and feelings with literally millions of people through his books, tapes, and seminars.

Through it all, he continues to recognize the power individuals have to change virtually anything and everything in their lives in an instant. He has learned that the resources we need to turn our dreams into reality are within us, merely waiting for the day when we decide to wake up and claim our birthright. Robbins says that he wrote ‘Awaken the Giant Within’ for one reason: “to be a wake-up call that will challenge those who are committed to living and being more to tap their God-given power.”

For changes to be of any true value, they have got to be lasting and consistent. We have all experienced change for a moment, only to feel let down and disappointed in the end. In fact, many people attempt change with a sense of fear and dread because unconsciously they believe the changes will only be temporary.

Tony Robbins offers three elementary principles of change thatcanbe used immediately to change our lives. While these principles are simple, they are alsoextremely powerful when they are skillfully applied. These are the exact same changes that an individualmust make in order to create personal change, that a company must make in order to maximize itspotential, and that a country must make in order to carve out its place in the world. “In fact, as a worldcommunity these are the changes that we all must make to preserve the quality of life around the globe.”

Raise Your Standards

Any time you sincerely want to make a change, the first thing you must do is to raise your standards. Absolutely the most important thing is to change what you demand of yourself. Write down all the things you would no longer accept in your life, all the things you would no longer tolerate, and all the things that you aspire to be coming.“Think of the far-reaching consequences set in motion by men and women who raised their standards and acted in accordance with them, deciding they would tolerate no less.” History chronicles the inspiring examples of people like, Abraham Lincoln, Helen Keller, Mahatma Gandhi, MartinLuther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, Albert Einstein, Nelson Mandela, and many others who took the magnificently powerful step of raising their standards.

We believe that the same power that was available to them is available to you, if you have the courage to claim it. “Changing an organization, a company, a country—or a world—begins with the simple step of changing yourself.”

Change Your Limiting Beliefs

If you raise your standards but do not really believe you can meet them, you have already sabotaged yourself. You will not even try; you will be lacking that sense of certainty that allows you to tap the deepest capacity that is within you. Our beliefs are like unquestioned commands, telling us how things are, what is possible and what is impossible, what we can and cannot do. They shape every action, every thought, and every feeling that we experience.

As a result, changing our belief systems is central to making any real and lasting change in our lives. We must develop a sense of certainty that we can and will meet the new standards before we actually do. Without taking control of your belief systems, you can raise your standards as much as you like, but you will never have the conviction to back them up. Empowering beliefsis the force behind any great successthroughout history.

Change Your Strategy

In order to keep your commitment, you need the best strategies for achieving results. One of core beliefs of Robbins is that if you set a higher standard, and you can get yourself to believe, then you certainly can figure out the strategies. You simply will find a way.

It is believed that the best strategy in almost anycase is to find a role model, someone who is already getting the results you want, and then tap into theirknowledge. Learn what they are doing, what their core beliefs are, and how they think. Not only willthis make you more effective, it will also save you a huge amount of time because you will not have toreinvent the wheel. You can fine-tune it, reshape it, and perhaps even make it better.

Life is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to give something back by becoming more.

BY CAPT. SAM ADDAIH (RTD)

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