In one of the local exercise gyms, a former professional boxer, now in his 70s, was pounding the bag. A middle-aged businessman, a wannabe jock, was doing sit-ups. After a while the businessman stood up and bragged to the boxer that he had just done 500 sit-ups.

Without breaking the rhythm of his punches, the former boxer replied, “That’s all right. Don’t get discouraged. Keep trying and you’ll get better.”

Some people brag and it’s never nice to have them around.

Let me tell you another story.

A HUNGRY mountain lion came out of the hills, attacked a bull and killed it. As it feasted on its kill, the lion paused from time to time to roar in triumph. A hunter in the area heard the commotion, found the lion and shot him dead.

The moral of the story is: When you’re full of bull, keep your mouth shut.

A few years ago, I was given the privilege to do the introduction to an overflow crowd gathered to listen to the internationally famous Christian philosopher and evangelist Dr. Ravi Zacharias. Ravi has been featured as the main speaker for the National Prayer Breakfast held at the White House under the sponsorship of US President George W. Bush. To say that his credentials are impressive is a grave understatement. He has spoken to the Lenin Military Academy and has written a number of books as well.

Dr. Ravi gave a brilliant presentation that left the audience captivated and up until now I still meet people who would tell me they were so inspired by the 55 minute talk he presented. They wanted more of him.

And then one month later I had the opportunity not only to introduce but to share the same speaker’s platform and speak with the world famous motivational speaker Dr. Denis Waitley.

Dr. Denis Waitley was featured as the main speaker in a seminar in our country a few years ago and after listening to him intently in both of his sessions, I learned so much in so short a time and sharing the same sentiments with all the 265 people inside the hotel ballroom…I couldn’t have enough of him.

Ravi Zacharias and Dr. Denis Waitley. Two distinguished speakers of international acclaim gracing our country and sharing with us their life’s winning principles is a treat I will always remember.

But allow me to let you in on a little secret. Let me bring you backstage and tell you what kind of people they really are when the lights are off and the microphones are no longer around. What are these two people really like?

I had lunch with Dr. Ravi. His credentials are so impressive and his thoughts, writings and lectures have influenced me a great deal as far as my spiritual walk and growth is concerned. Guess what I found out? Dr. Ravi is one of the humblest people I have ever met. Not even an ounce of ego. He speaks with a very soft voice and goes out of his way to encourage people. Confident but not cocky. Encouraging but not condescending. Inspiring and never for a moment pretentious. I’ve met people who play acts on being spiritual. Not Dr. Ravi.

Dr. Denis Waitley and I together with a panel of teachers/ professors honorees were interviewed in a press conference. After that Denis and I had time to share experiences – one-on-one. Guess what I discovered. This internationally known speaker is so gentle and tender. Once again not an ounce of ego in him. He never for a moment tried to impress me with what he knows and he got my interest in him by being interested in me.

2 great personalities of international fame and stature yet exhibiting humility and gentleness of spirit. And the best thing about these two? Both of them…as with almost every good speaker I know have a fantastic sense of humor.

I’ve met people of infinitely lesser stature and accomplishment yet exhibiting unbelievable pride and arrogance as they prance and strut around like over decorated peacocks trying to impress everyone they meet with how much they know and it reveals their shallowness of character.

I’ve met people who are revered and respected as leaders either in the business world or in the religious community yet when you get to know them up close and personal…they are in reality egoistical and insecure.

Ravi Zacharias and Dr. Denis Waitley. Two people who have inspired me in my life through their books, talks, tapes and films would now inspire me more through their conduct, character and demeanor. Guess what the two of them have in common, they both acknowledge the fact that it has been God’s Grace in their lives that have made them accomplish so much in their life time.

Real people of greatness are humble people because they do not have to prove anything. The arrogant are not so, they are insecure. They have to assure others and  themselves that they are worthy of admiration. But people see through them over time. And they lose respect.

Through these  two men I have learned to check my ego by the door and to live my life reminding myself that without God, I can do nothing. And that I have to consider others better than myself. This is the foundation for humility.

I like what popular newspaper columnist of all Ann Landers have to say: “Don’t accept your dog’s admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful.” And never forget, if you are all wrapped up in your self, you make a small package and you are extremely…..overdressed.

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Business is always fascinating for me.

I have seen experts in business behaving like novices. They ask questions not because they don’t know but because they either want to confirm what they know or in asking questions they get to know more.

And then there are the novices. They tend to act and behave like experts. They don’t want to ask too many questions for fear of being found out that they are not experts after all. And then there are those who may know a little but would open their mouths and voice unwanted opinions and offer unsolicited advice to the consternation of many.

I have met all three kinds of people in business. And this is what I have observed. Whether we’re talking about wine tasting, manufacturing, culinary or even in business consultancy work, the connoisseur and the novice sees things differently.

The experts look at a product, a service or even a business case and he or she sees the differences, a novice on the other hand sees the similarities. Where a connoisseur can discern subtle shades of distinction based on nuanced asymmetries, an amateur lacks the necessary filters to canvas, to organize, to sift an assortment in a meaningful way.

The novice or the amateur struggles to look for the beginning, middle or the end and meanwhile the expert can navigate a category with effortless intuition.

I look into the cosmetics department in a department store and all I see are similar products of similar shades, featuring similar packaging with different brands and prices. But the Ilocana (my wife Lilia) can see the distinction between one lipstick with another. It’s obvious I am a novice and she is an expert. My wife couldn’t understand why I fancy this watch brand compared to another when all she sees are the hour hand, the minute hand and the second hand and numbers and gears and they all look the same. This is why in this area she becomes a novice.

At the heart of business success is the ability to compete; the ability to compete, in turn, is dependent on the ability to differentiate from competitors.

Differentiate or die, or so the saying goes. And yet when a category reaches a point where there are a growing number of consumers skeptical about the differences between products and brands, the differentiation within the category is at risk of being rendered meaningless.

The market is no longer composes of amateurs. They have matured and thus we have the term: “A maturing market.” The “new Improved,” tag attached to the same products no longer appeal to those who do not only see the similarities but those who understand the differences.

The difference between novices and experts apply in all aspects of life. Singers and speakers like me are not exempted.  Amateurs practice until they can get it right; professionals practice until they can’t get it wrong.

Wannabe experts are so obvious because no matter how hard they try in getting it right the wrongs still show. But this is a stage everyone has to go through.

• Famous Olympian Nadia Comaneci says: “If I work on a certain move constantly, then finally, it doesn’t seem risky to me. The idea is that the move stays dangerous and it looks dangerous to my foes, but it is not to me. Hard work has made it easy.”
• Louis Nizer says it best when he said: “A man who works with his hands is a laborer; a man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman; but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist.”

Whether you are in business or you are in a profession, start from being a novice but you need to work your way up to being a professional. Do not make false claims and do not invent credentials. Study. Learn. Work hard and then you will not only begin to see the differences in your craft, you actually do things and get things right!

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Susan’s washing machine quit working so she called a repairman.

Since she had to go to work the next day, she told the repairman, “I’ll leave the key with my next door neighbor. Fix the washing machine, leave the bill on the counter, and I’ll have somebody send you the payment.

“Oh, by the way, don’t worry about my Rottweiler.  He won’t bother you. But, whatever you do, do NOT, under ANY circumstances, talk to my parrot! I REPEAT, DO NOT TALK TO MY PARROT!!!”

When the repairman arrived at Susan’s apartment the following day, he discovered the biggest, meanest-looking Rottweiler he had ever seen. But, just as she had said, the dog just lay there on the carpet, watching the repairman go about his work.

The parrot, however, drove him nuts the whole time with his incessant yelling and name calling. Finally, the repairman couldn’t contain himself any longer and yelled, “Shut up, you stupid, ugly bird!”

To which the parrot replied, “Get him, Spike!”

That’s what happens to people who do not follow instructions.

Following instructions is simply discipline in action. Discipline is inevitable. We either discipline ourselves, or life brings other people to do it for us.

Don’t you hate those awful pink fences that line up the major streets in our Metropolis? Fences to keep people from jaywalking, fences to keep vehicles in their proper places, fences to keep buses from wandering and the question is why are those ugly fences there in the first place? Because motorists and pedestrians do not want to follow instructions and so somebody has to do something to force us to follow.

Fences enclose. Fences restrict freedom. But the irony behind those fences is that they were put there because of a lot of people’s insistence to do what they want rather than obeying orders and following instructions.

Now there is the great analogy about pink fences and our personal life.

We all long for freedom and the ability to “do whatever I want.” And yet, the successful people who seem to have the most freedom also happen to be the most disciplined, the most focused and self-directed people I have ever met.

Many people think that freedom is the right to do whatever they want, whenever they want, sleep all morning, enjoy happy hour, act on impulse and charge their credit cards to the max. Take a little sip here, take a little drag there, snort it up, gulp it down, inject it into their veins, jump from one bed to another and pretty soon they find themselves  losing the very freedom they want; chained by chaos, conflict and frustration living an undisciplined life that leads to disappointment and pain.

Discipline is inevitable. We either discipline ourselves, or life brings other people to do it for us. We either manage our lives on our own, or we lose the very freedom we cherish.

We either practice self-discipline or pretty soon our creditors “convince” us to work more hours. Our bosses “persuade” us to work harder or longer or smarter. Our families “encourage” us to do our work, fulfill our responsibilities and “behave ourselves.” Taken to the extreme, eventually people with uniforms and titles like “guards” or “warden” will structure our time and our lives for us.

Look at the way we rear up our kids.
Children are not expected to know how to structure their lives, so parents teach them. Parents get them up for school and remind them to make their beds or do their chores. Parents are charged with teaching children that joy is the REWARD for effort and discipline. This is why it is good to have children involved in competitive sports. As they practice, work hard and fulfill their commitments, they gain skill, and skill leads to victory and celebration on the playing field, and in life.

Freedom therefore is the RESULT of a great life, not the raw material.

If we start by living a free and undisciplined life, true freedom slips away. It gets lost in a thousand petty or careless “little” decisions that eventually deny us the life we want.
You know the old cliché, but it still rings true today. You cannot have freedom without responsibility. Simply put, you cannot live an undisciplined life and expect to be free to live the life you want. Do you know how freedom is destroyed? The answer is simple. By abusing it as well as taking it away.

Begin with a handful of daily commitments that suit your unique situation.

Pray. Work. Exercise. Eat healthy. Read. Stay faithful – in your work and in your family.

Be productive. Do it now! Build the habit of personal discipline. It’s the road to personal freedom. And when we have learned discipline as a people…then maybe…those pink fences would go away.

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When William learned that he was being fired for laziness and inefficiency, he went to see the head of human resources.  “Since I’ve been with the firm for so long,” he said, ” I think I deserve at least a letter of recommendation.”

The human resources director agreed and said he’d have the letter that next day.  The following morning, William found the letter on his desk.  It read:

“William worked for our company for eleven years. When he left us, we were very satisfied.”

What happened to William? Why did he lose the fire?

Maybe he needs to be in a wake.

Puzzled? Want to know what I mean? Well I got this idea from an unknown author who came up this beautiful piece:

One day all the employees reached the office and they saw a big sign on the door on which was written:
Yesterday, the person who has been hindering your growth in this company passed away. We invite you to join the wake in the room that has been prepared in the gym.
In the beginning, they all got sad for the death of one of their colleagues, but after a while they started getting curious to know who was that man who hindered the growth of his colleagues and the company itself.
The excitement in the gym was such that security agents were ordered to control the crowd within the room. The more people reached the coffin, the more the excitement heated up.
Everyone thought: ‘Who is this guy who was hindering my progress? Well, at least he died! One by one the thrilled employees got closer to the coffin, and when they looked inside it, they suddenly became speechless.
They stood nearby the coffin, shocked and in silence, as if someone had touched the deepest part of their soul.  There was a mirror inside the coffin; everyone who looked inside it could see himself.  There was also a sign next to the mirror that said:  There is only one person who is capable of setting limits to your growth: IT IS YOU!!!!!
Your life does not change when your boss changes, when your friends change, when your parents change, when your husband or wife change, when your company change, when your church changes, when your location change, when your money change, when your status change…
Your life changes when YOU change, when you go beyond your limiting beliefs.
Examine yourself, watch yourself. Don’t be afraid of difficulties, impossibilities and losses. Be a winner; build yourself and your reality. It’s the way you face Life that makes the difference.
Many people are slightly motivated only by the tiny pay slips they receive every 15^th and the 30^th of the month. The days in between are struggles to get by and the drive to improve and achieve better things has died.

The wake is a need to shock us back to reality

Life is never what happens. it’s always how you deal with what happens.

Work is a blessing and a gift from God. If you don’t believe me ask those who are jobless. Be productive and unleash the potential in you that has been lying dormant for so many years.

Never forget. The largest room in the world is the room for self-improvement.

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An ambitious young man had been trying for months to be granted an interview with a major computer manufacturer. After making dozens of attempts he finally managed to get the HR Director to take his call. The young job seeker asked if he could get into their well-known training program. With dozens of qualified candidates already in his files, the HR Director replied, “I’m sorry but I can’t interview you now. Why don’t you call back in about five years?” Now that was really a very rude remark but guess what happened?

The smiling young man replied, “Morning or afternoon?”

Now don’t we love people who do not surrender easily?

Confucius says: “It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.”

Talk about perseverance.

One day, a man was sitting at home when he hears a faint a knock at the door.

He gets up, opens the door, and sees… no one.  He looks around in the dark a bit before he just shrugs his shoulders and goes back to the living room.  But a couple minutes later, he hears the same faint knock.  He runs to the door, swings it open, and still sees no one until… he looks down and there’s a SNAIL on the step!  He picks up the snail and throws him into the woods.

Two years later, the man hears a faint knock on the door.  He opens it and looks down – the same snail is there.  He looks up at the man and the snail says “Now, what was that all about?”

Famous motivational speaker Zig Ziglar gives us his thoughts on this. According to Ziglar, “Somebody once said the difference between a big shot and little shot is that the big shot was the little shot who kept on shooting. There’s much truth in that witticism. The reality is, no matter what our target might be, we seldom hit it on the first try unless the target is low, which means the accomplishment–and the rewards–will be insignificant.”

In bow shooting, experienced archers test the wind by using the first shot to judge its strength and direction, enabling them to zero in on the target with their following shots. In short, archers learn from their mistakes. That’s good advice for all of us. Success in business, athletics, science, politics, etc., seldom comes on the first effort. Walt Disney went bankrupt a number of times and had at least one nervous breakdown before he made it big. Athletic skills are acquired over a long period of time and after countless hours of practice. Authors by the hundreds can tell you stories by the thousands of those rejection slips before they found a publisher who was willing to “gamble” on an unknown.

It’s more than just a cliché that persistent, enthusiastic effort produces powerful, positive results, that failure is an event–not a person–and that the only time you must not fail is the last time you try. Whatever your target might be, chances are good that you’re not going to hit the bull’s eye on the first effort you make at being “successful.” The key is persistence and the willingness to try again in the face of those early misses.

You can learn from those early mistakes and if you do keep on shooting, it’s just a question of time before you, too, are hitting the bull’s eye.”

We often times see the glamour of a person’s success. What we don’t see is the tremendous amount of effort and perseverance thrown into the work before the win. We see the champion whose hands are raised before the adoring public in the middle of the ring but what the public does not see is the tremendous amount of punches the champion absorbed before he finally hits the bull’s eye.

There is no short cut to success. It’s always toiling and striving and sweating it out and fighting the voice that rings in our head “Give up Francis, this is not getting you anywhere…” It’s refusing to give up when it seems like the effort is futile. Same thing in business, same thing in career and it’s certainly the same thing in the Christian life.

Basketball legend Michael Jordan says: “I’ve missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot . . . and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”

Oliver Cromwell says it very well: “Not only strike while the iron is hot, but make it hot by striking.” Guess what the wisest man in the book of Ecclesiastes has to say about this:

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.

And by the way, it’s a beautiful day today. Go to church!

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