On doubts and clarity

 

Do you ever wonder how do those people who seem to have “it all” get it? Are they born with a certain magic that makes “it” just naturally flow towards them? Then all they have to do is reach out their hand and grab “it”.  While the rest of us struggle to find the time, money, energy, etc. just to get through the month. My mother had a phrase to describe this: Robbing Peter to pay Paul. There’s no debate, life demands more and more each year. So how do “they” (because it’s always someone else) do “it”? How do they acquire that which we find lacking? What’s different between them and us? Is there a difference? They seem more confident and self-assured, but are they?

Richard Branson, of Virgin Records, was not a successful student, due to severe dyslexia, but still went on to become a successful businessman.

“I became an entrepreneur by mistake. Ever since then I’ve gone into business, not to make money, but because I think I can do it better than it’s been done elsewhere. And, quite often, just out of personal frustration about the way it’s been done by other people. (interview with Martyn Lewis in his book, Reflections on Success (1997)

 

Benjamin Franklin of American Independence fame was born into a large poor family. He is credited with inventions such as the Franklin Stove, bifocal lens, and the lightning rod; and ideas such as the Virtues. Franklin was likened to Socrates as he preferred to ask questions to arrive at the truth rather than dictate said truth. In a contest of wills, Franklin was instrumental in encouraging the British Parliament to revoke the hated Stamp Act.

“… as we enjoy great advantages from the inventions of others, we should be glad of an opportunity to serve others by any invention of ours; and this we should do freely and generously.”

Both individuals acted when it was time to act and were clear about their goals. Interestingly, they also felt it important to promote the welfare of others or because they felt they could do something better than it’d been done before. We, on the other hand, float in the mire of our own doubts. Franklin could have said, “I’m the son of a poor candle maker, one of ten children. How could I accomplish anything?” He had no money and no education, but he did have a keen mind, a commitment to his future, and a willingness to work for it. We can have that. They say he would read during his lunch hour. He was constantly learning and applying what he learned to something that would benefit others. We can do that.

If you wake up every morning and wonder how to achieve your goals and never try to attain them, then you’re no better than a Franklin who never tried to be anything more than the son of a candle-maker. If, on the other hand, you wake up and remind yourself of your goals and figure out what you can do today to achieve them, then who knows what you can accomplish. Keeping our goals in the spotlight of our clarity keeps them on the front burner, so to speak. The back burner is where I keep projects that don’t need my constant attention. When I’m ready to bring something to fruition, I move it too the front burner so the light of my attention and clarity allows me to act when it is time to act.

So, are you ready to invent your own lightning rod?