Many times and in many different ways I have said on this blog and elsewhere that in order to give yourself the best chance of success in any area of your life, start by having a clear, positive image of your desired outcome.

One of my favorite stories about someone knowing their outcome and taking massive action to get it is the story of how Sylvester Stallone broke into Hollywood and the movie business.  There have been a lot of versions of the story told, but one of the best and I think most accurate comes From Tony Robbins after he made Rocky tell his to him story over dinner one night.

Tony Robbins is a big believer in the importance of “knowing your outcome”.  In the video below, he recounts the story told to him by Sylvestor Stallone about how he got his “big break”.  The video is a little longer than I normally post (a little over nine minutes), however since I consider this one of the greatest stories ever told about how someone overcame all odds to achieve their dream, I think it is worth the investment of your time.

Even if you think you know the story, I think you will learn some facts that make the story even more amazing and will inspire you even more to achieve your own dreams.   So as you sit back relax and enjoy this inspirational video, think about “that thing” that is holding you back.  What action are you prepared to take make sure your desired outcome becomes a reality in your life?

If you would like to suggest something for a future Inspirational Wednesday article, please email mitchell@TheChampionsHeart.com.  If your suggestion is used you will receive credit and a link tour website if you have one.

For many people this weekend is nothing more than an excuse to eat and drink a little too much and enjoy a three day weekend.  While I am not one who would advocate celebrating war, I do celebrate those individuals who have served in the military and found themselves in circumstances most of us can’t even imagine.

In those challenging circumstances so many of them willingly put themselves in harms way to help those around them have a chance at survival.  Through the years there have been far too many heroes for me to mention here, however I will share the story of one brave soul and recgonize he represents but one of thousands.

His name was Carlton W Barrett, he was a private in the US army, 18th infantry, 1st Infantry Division.  He was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his brave actions on June 6, 1944 near St. Laurent-sur-Mer, France.

On the morning of D-Day Pvt. Barrett, landing in the face of extremely heavy enemy fire, was forced to wade ashore through neck-deep water. Disregarding the personal danger, he returned to the surf again and again to assist his floundering comrades and save them from drowning.

Refusing to remain pinned down by the intense barrage of small-arms and mortar fire poured at the landing points, Pvt. Barrett, working with fierce determination, saved many lives by carrying casualties to an evacuation boat lying offshore.

In addition to his assigned mission as guide, he carried dispatches the length of the fire-swept beach; he assisted the wounded; he calmed the shocked; he arose as a leader in the stress of the occasion. His coolness and his dauntless daring courage while constantly risking his life during a period of many hours had an inestimable effect on his comrades.

While we remember and celebrate the lives of those who have fallen, I also want to recognize and celebrate those who through their actions made it possible for many to survive.

I also want to suggest that rather than debate the rightness or wrongness of past wars, we focus on the remarkable examples of what is possible when one is fully present in the moment and singularly focused on a desired outcome.

Had Private Carlton actually stopped to think about what he was doing and whether or not it was possible, his rational mind would most certainly have told him it was not, and that he should head for the nearest cover and save himself.

I encourage you to use the example of Private Carlton or any similar person you know, and allow yourself to become fully present.  Let go of what you have perceived as past failures.  Let go of what you are imagining will or can go wrong in the future.

The only time is now, and now is the only time you can take positive action to create a positive experience in this moment that will also carry on to the next.

If you would like to suggest an individual and/or an event to be featured in Celebration Fridays, please email your suggestion to  mitchell@thechampionsheart.com

Editor’s Note:

I apologize for posting this a little late in the day. This is a guest post from Glen Allsopp of PluginID. Thanks Glen!

As humans, our ability to learn vast amounts of information is one of the greatest qualities we have. Often, however, we learn things that hold us back such as limiting beliefs and believe that the judgements of others are true. The sad thing is, a lot of the people who are willing to put us down, the ones that can make us doubt ourselves, never actually make anything of their own journeys.

Instead of looking at anyone and everyone to teach you about life, I believe we should look towards people that have actually made a difference in their own. Following, I’ve shared 11 messages from some of the more inspirational people to ever walk this planet.

As the quote from Lord Buddha suggests, don’t take any of these as fact. If they work for you, then use them; if they don’t them simply dismiss them like you didn’t read the message. Hopefully some of them will click for you,

and from this day forward their messages will provide powerful reminders  of faith, humanity and peace in your life.

1. Nelson Mandela

Why are they inspiring? Nelson was a huge part of the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa. He was jailed for 27 years due to his efforts to in leading the transition for a multi-racial democracy but he eventually prevailed with his mission.

What can they teach? Be courageous in your efforts and fight for the things you believe in.

I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.

2. Richard Branson

Why are they inspiring? Richard Branson created his first business at the age of 16 in the form of Student magazine. He founded the Virgin brand which today operates over 350 companies while risking his pride, bankruptcy, and even his life in the process.

What can they teach? Opportunities in life are abundant, if something in life doesn’t go your way, roll with the punches until something does. Don’t let one ‘failure’ make you turn around and give up.

Business opportunities are like buses, there’s always another one coming.

3. Russell Simmons

Why are they inspiring? Russell Simmons launched Def Jam Records; a company that helped bring hip hop music into the mainstream, and give millions of kids that were living in the struggle some hope for a better future.

What can they teach? Never think that you are above the advice or intelligence of others. We can achieve so much more when working together.

I’ve been blessed to find people who are smarter than I am, and they help me to execute the vision I have.

4. Mahatma Ghandi

Why are they inspiring? He led the movement which led India to independence. This also inspired other movements for freedom and human rights across the world.

What can they teach? Act through your intentions. Only from following through with the things you believe in can you enjoy fulfilment.

 

Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.

5. Warren Buffett

Why are they inspiring? He is one of the most successful investors of all time and became the world’s richest person at the age of 77.

What can they teach? Being successful isn’t always about taking on the biggest challenges. It’s about constantly growing and conquering the feats you can manage.

I don’t look to jump over 7-foot bars: I look around for 1-foot bars that I can step over.

6. Princess Diana

Why are they inspiring? Instead of seeing her public position as one of Ego, Diana used her status to inspire millions around her. She was one of the first high-profile figures to be seen touching someone infected with HIV, she also braved minefields to raise awareness of the problem they were causing.

What can they teach? Don’t just help others for the sake of getting something in return. Help others in order to help others, nothing more.

Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.

7. Martin Luther King

Why are they inspiring? Martin Luther King is most prominently known for his “I have a dream” speech in which he stood up for what he believes in. This speech led to public awareness of civil rights movements and also made him known as one of the greatest orators in history.

What can they teach? Do things for the greater good of humanity, rather than just focusing on your own mind-made constraints.

An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.

8. Mother Teresa

Why are they inspiring? She spent 45 years of her life caring for the sick, poor and dying while raising awareness for her organization: “Missions of Charity”. Her work started in India then spread to other parts of the world.

What can they teach? We are all one, you are not alone in this journey of life, and therefore you shouldn’t see yourself as more or less than anyone else.

If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.

9. Lord Buddha

Why are they inspiring? Siddhartha Gotama was thought of as the ‘enlightened one’ and still to this day inspires people with his messages of peace, oneness and living in the moment.

What can they teach? Do not take anybody’s messages as fact. Use what works for you and dismiss the rest.

 

Only accept what passes the test by proving useful and beneficial in your life.

10. Winston Churchill

Why are they inspiring? Winston Churchill was the prime minister of the UK, a Nobel-prize winning writer, an author and a officer in the British Army. He was also made the first honorary citizen of the United States.

What can they teach? Don’t take life so seriously, enjoy the simplicity in everything.

A prisoner of war is a man who tries to kill you and fails, and then asks you not to kill him.

11. Muhammad Ali

Why are they inspiring? In 1999, Ali was crowned ‘Sportsman of the Century’ by the BBC after retiring with three boxing heavy-weight world championships to his name.

What can they teach? Be willing to grow and evolve on your journey through life. Don’t remain stagnant in your ways and mindsets.

A man who views the world the same at fifty as he did at twenty has wasted thirty years of his life.

Which message did you find the most powerful and inspiring for you?

Glen Allsopp aims to teach people how to ‘Plug into their Identity’ and live the live they want to live. You can find more of Glen’s work at his blog, PluginID.

If you would like to suggest a person, event, or thing (book, CD, seminar etc.) to be featured in a future Inspirational Wednesdays post you can email your suggestion to   mitchell@thechampionsheart.com