I've met some incredible people in the past few weeks.
Amanda Dunbar, at only 23 years old, is a world class painter whose artwork sells at a price that could buy a brand new car.
Jason Dorsey, 28 years old, is author of several books and travels the world to speak commanding a fee of over $5,000 per presentation.
Now in his late twenties, Johnathan Wendell has made hundreds of thousands of dollars as a professional video game player.
Ben Quinto was inducted into the Youth International Hall of Fame for his leadership in bringing youth together from over 200 countries though his organization, Global Youth Action Network.
Then there was Cameron Johnson, who at age 22, has started 12 super-successful businesses that earned him the freedom to fully retire (which he refuses to do).
So why am I telling you this? Because I've noticed a trend and I thought you might find it interesting.
The question I asked was, "What separates these people from those who view life as a as job and struggle to make it through the day?" Apparently, the answer is, "Not much.
" There really isn't a big gap between ordinary and extraordinary individuals.
Not one of these people listed above viewed themselves as better, smarter, or more talented than anyone else.
After interviewing with each of them, I heard one specific line come up again and again: "I'm no different than anyone else.
I just wasn't willing to settle for any less than I could be.
" "What else did they have in common?" I thought to myself.
Well, there was definitely an overlap of traits such as perseverance, enthusiasm, creativity, etc.
but there was one factor that held true across the board: They took a leap of faith to follow their passion and live their dreams.
Whether it was art, writing, business, politics, or even playing video games, they all took a bold step forward-without the guarantee of success.
They didn't sit back and wait for things to "fall in place" or have someone tell them, "You can do this.
You are ready.
" No way! Each of them took full responsibility for their thoughts and actions knowing that the world did not owe them anything.
They took action, learned from their mistakes, corrected their course, and kept trying until they achieved the result they wanted.
The key element, however, was that they "got started" and took action.
Instead of looking at their youth as a disadvantage or a lack of experience, they saw it as opportunity to get ahead, learn from others, and most importantly, take risks.
Cameron Johnson told me, "I took big risks when I was 15 and started my company.
I knew it was okay though, because I didn't have to pay rent, put food on the table, or support a family.
I was a teenager with very little to loose.
I didn't have a lot of experience, but I was willing to learn as much as I could.
Not everything worked out but when it did, it really paid off.
At 15 years old, my company had sales in excess of $15,000 per day.
" If you're a teenager, or anyone for that matter, reading this, I challenge you to use the power of today-especially since it's now summer and schools out.
Use your youth and your time to your advantage.
Don't fall in the trap of the "mañana syndrome" by telling yourself, "I'll get started tomorrow ...
when I have a degree, when I'm stronger, when the weather is better, when I get more support.
" Instead, start where you stand.
Go for it! If you don't know where to begin, try asking yourself the age-old question, "What would I do if I knew I could not fail?" If no one would judge you ...
if you had nothing to lose, think of how you would approach your life differently.
My guess is that you'd try all sorts of new things.
My question then is, "Why wait?" Regardless of what you choose do, you're going to make mistakes, so get them out of the way now.
Learn from them and you will develop better judgment and gain valuable experience (which often comes from bad judgment).
You have everything you need to be successful right now.
There is no such thing as a lack of resources, only a lack of resourcefulness.
Remember, you don't have to do everything in one day, but you have to something everyday that will move you closer to where you really want to be.
I believe one of our past presidents said it best, "Good things come to those who wait, but only what's left over by those who hustle.
" I'll leave you with a quote that has really helped me take action in spite of my fears and doubts.
Who knows, maybe it will help you as much as it has helped me.
You don't have to be great to get started, but you have to get started to be great.
Live your dreams.
Make it happen! - Kent Healy
Amanda Dunbar, at only 23 years old, is a world class painter whose artwork sells at a price that could buy a brand new car.
Jason Dorsey, 28 years old, is author of several books and travels the world to speak commanding a fee of over $5,000 per presentation.
Now in his late twenties, Johnathan Wendell has made hundreds of thousands of dollars as a professional video game player.
Ben Quinto was inducted into the Youth International Hall of Fame for his leadership in bringing youth together from over 200 countries though his organization, Global Youth Action Network.
Then there was Cameron Johnson, who at age 22, has started 12 super-successful businesses that earned him the freedom to fully retire (which he refuses to do).
So why am I telling you this? Because I've noticed a trend and I thought you might find it interesting.
The question I asked was, "What separates these people from those who view life as a as job and struggle to make it through the day?" Apparently, the answer is, "Not much.
" There really isn't a big gap between ordinary and extraordinary individuals.
Not one of these people listed above viewed themselves as better, smarter, or more talented than anyone else.
After interviewing with each of them, I heard one specific line come up again and again: "I'm no different than anyone else.
I just wasn't willing to settle for any less than I could be.
" "What else did they have in common?" I thought to myself.
Well, there was definitely an overlap of traits such as perseverance, enthusiasm, creativity, etc.
but there was one factor that held true across the board: They took a leap of faith to follow their passion and live their dreams.
Whether it was art, writing, business, politics, or even playing video games, they all took a bold step forward-without the guarantee of success.
They didn't sit back and wait for things to "fall in place" or have someone tell them, "You can do this.
You are ready.
" No way! Each of them took full responsibility for their thoughts and actions knowing that the world did not owe them anything.
They took action, learned from their mistakes, corrected their course, and kept trying until they achieved the result they wanted.
The key element, however, was that they "got started" and took action.
Instead of looking at their youth as a disadvantage or a lack of experience, they saw it as opportunity to get ahead, learn from others, and most importantly, take risks.
Cameron Johnson told me, "I took big risks when I was 15 and started my company.
I knew it was okay though, because I didn't have to pay rent, put food on the table, or support a family.
I was a teenager with very little to loose.
I didn't have a lot of experience, but I was willing to learn as much as I could.
Not everything worked out but when it did, it really paid off.
At 15 years old, my company had sales in excess of $15,000 per day.
" If you're a teenager, or anyone for that matter, reading this, I challenge you to use the power of today-especially since it's now summer and schools out.
Use your youth and your time to your advantage.
Don't fall in the trap of the "mañana syndrome" by telling yourself, "I'll get started tomorrow ...
when I have a degree, when I'm stronger, when the weather is better, when I get more support.
" Instead, start where you stand.
Go for it! If you don't know where to begin, try asking yourself the age-old question, "What would I do if I knew I could not fail?" If no one would judge you ...
if you had nothing to lose, think of how you would approach your life differently.
My guess is that you'd try all sorts of new things.
My question then is, "Why wait?" Regardless of what you choose do, you're going to make mistakes, so get them out of the way now.
Learn from them and you will develop better judgment and gain valuable experience (which often comes from bad judgment).
You have everything you need to be successful right now.
There is no such thing as a lack of resources, only a lack of resourcefulness.
Remember, you don't have to do everything in one day, but you have to something everyday that will move you closer to where you really want to be.
I believe one of our past presidents said it best, "Good things come to those who wait, but only what's left over by those who hustle.
" I'll leave you with a quote that has really helped me take action in spite of my fears and doubts.
Who knows, maybe it will help you as much as it has helped me.
You don't have to be great to get started, but you have to get started to be great.
Live your dreams.
Make it happen! - Kent Healy