WILL YOU?

I’ll let you in on a little secret… one you likely already know.

You can achieve just about ANYTHING if you are WILLING.

Many of you may be shaking your heads thinking, “Of course I’m willing! But time after time I fall flat, my dreams overshadowed by circumstances beyond my control.” To that, I would challenge you to ask yourself how willing am I, really?

How willing are you?
- To change?
- To stretch?
- To challenge yourself?
- To be honest with yourself?
- To overcome, once and for all, your deepest inner fears?

How willing are you to commit yourself to doing whatever it takes to find that unique mix of talent, drive, initiative, joy and passion that is yours alone, and BE it?

As I write this, I’m reminded of the classic children’s book, The Little Engine that Could. It’s a precious story about a happy little train, filled with “good things for boys and girls” that finds itself broken down; unable to fulfill its mission.

One by one, three engines approach the stranded one, but are unwilling to help either because of pride or perceived inability. Then along comes a very little blue engine, “chug, chugging merrily along”. Though this engine is outwardly the most limited of all, SHE THINKS SHE CAN. The little blue engine is WILLING to try. And her willingness saves the day!

Think for a moment about a time when you were 100% committed to a cause. Perhaps it was when you first opened your business, and you were determined to see it succeed. Maybe it was a physical goal you set for yourself—competing in a marathon or taking on a grueling bike trail that tantalized you. In that situation, what were the ingredients that made the experience successful for you? Had you not been willing to commit yourself, how different would the outcome have been?

Sometimes our willingness is usurped by fear. We fear losing, perhaps even winning, and so we don’t bother trying. Other times we are unwilling to sacrifice, thinking it might mean compromising other areas of our life. As long as we see the world through unwilling eyes, we will surely limit our possibilities.

Dictionary.com defines “willing” as “cheerfully consenting or ready”. Next time you’re considering taking on that big project, why not ask yourself, "How willing am I, REALLY? What will I do to change my attitude to one of cheerful readiness?” Because once you’re there, the engine will take care of itself.

“Puff, puff, chug, chug, went the Little Blue Engine. “I think I can—I think I can—I think I can—I think I can!”