Run Forrest, Run!

And with that we see a poignant story about a unique man who seemingly walks into fame and fortune without even noticing. This man, Forrest Gump, from his name to his demeanor seems ridiculous, and retarded. But, as his momma told him…Stupid is, as stupid does.

I could not help but notice deep truths that were buried in this gem of a movie/novel that has been part of some serious political discussions and even controversy. What I want to focus on is how a simple man of simple truths can indeed walk through life and push the problems it brings with it aside almost as if those problems were nothing more than smoke.

The first truth that Forrest utters we have already quoted: “Stupid is as Stupid does…” The fact that Forrest is a bit slow is completely balanced by the fact that he believes in black and white truth. Stupid people are those who do stupid things – and it is ironic that it is Jenny he says this too first, as she epitomizes stupidity throughout the movie with every act she takes, except for the one of being Forrest’s friend, and at the end of the movie, finally his love.

The other thing that Forrest does is that he never accepts failure, in fact he is incapable of even imagining what failure is. He simply does whatever he does. Once he has decided on a course, he simply does it, obstacles are nothing more that a challenge that has to be met, without any consideration of being stopped by them. In other words, do…or do not. Anything else is just you standing in the way.

There are many other things in this story that I could point to, but these two are the real gems that if we put into practice in our own lives, will lead to success in our endeavors:

1.)Don’t do stupid things.
2.)Whatever you have decided to do, do.

Ability varies, education is not wisdom, and unemployed geniuses can be found on every street corner. The truth is that those who succeed have decided that they will succeed long before they even set their hand to their next project.

Success is as Success does.

David T. McKee

The Achieve Master Series: Getting There…

(Note: Some of the following may seem offensive or controversial to some…well, I’m sorry but anything interesting enough to read  usually is)

Earl Nightingale said that “Success is the progressive realization of a worthy goal.” Because he was instrumental in the realization of my success through the many books and tapes he produced (and that my successful father encouraged me to read and listen to), I wanted to dedicate this first of the Achieve Master series of articles.

Most of us have at least a fuzzy idea of what success is and if we are of that precious few who have made the attempt to make this idea more concrete in our thinking, we may be sure we know what success is. But what does it take to be a Master of Achievement?

First let’s clear the air a bit.

There are so many books, tapes, methods, philosophies, techniques, etc. on success and self-improvement that the mind is quickly boggled. A quick visit to a library or bookstore will verify this fact. Much of the current crops of titles combine a panoply of various new-age gobbledygook with just a sprinkling of actual common sense. Add to this a massive marketing budget and you have another best seller destined to be sold in a few years at the bargain basement used book-store. I should know… I have a ton of this stuff on my own bookshelves.

Let’s dig through some of this stuff, past the yellowed, dog-eared tomes of the past few years until we find some of the first ideas that actual successful individuals used to achieve awesome levels of success, the kind of achievement that you want for yourself.

Let’s begin with the statement that is also the title of this article:

“Success is the progressive realization of a worthy goal.”

Look at the last 3 words: “a worthy goal”. What makes a goal “worthy”? What does that even mean?

Let’s start by cutting the crap that most guru based new-age self improvement types dish out… None of this “Worthy goals are different for different people…blah blah blah.”

Obviously different people want different things, but some of those things are not worthy. And sometimes the things people say they want are not what their actions show they really do want.

People get what they actually want.
That is a basic principle. There is nothing “mystical” there, nothing magical (unless you did not realize that this was actually the case!). People get and have the things they truly in their heart focus on.

Now some will argue this pointing to those who are in horrible situations like Hurricane Katrina or who live in some horridly oppressive third world. However there are success stories even in those situations. I do not mean to imply that the external situation you find yourself in is under your control—it’s not, but your attitude about what you will do, and what you will focus on, always is.

Some who lived through Katrina have thrived despite perhaps losing everything, and some in oppressive third world countries escape those situations, many times to come to America and in a few years become wealthy themselves! They had a burning desire for a worthy goal, and let nothing stand in the way of achieving it.

But others who were born here in The United State of America (or other free democratic countries), who are able bodied and fit, will whine and complain that they can’t be successful, that their circumstances don’t allow for them to achieve anything, that they need help from those who do produce, their “need” being the blank check against those who have actually achieved something. These people are also getting what they truly, ultimately desire…

Abject failure.

That is what they truly want, that is what they focus on – and their subconscious mind, their projected intent goes out into the universe.  And the universe returns to them what they actually asked for, it can do nothing else.

(and of course there are so many politicians in government just waiting to softly massage them and tell them that they are right in thinking this way, and hand them a government check that was cashed against actual achievers output.)

So let’s review: A worthy goal is any goal that you have that will raise your personal worth to yourself, to your family, to those around you (neighbors and community), and to posterity. It can be small or big, but to be worthy, it must first be true, it must uplift, and it must be good - it must be something you know deep in your heart lifts those around you as it lifts you.

It must be True: – If your goal states or implies falsehood, it is not worthy. Notice the welfare bums in the previous example who complained that their experiences or circumstances were not ideal for them to be successful. The truth is nobody has it perfect, if they did there would be no challenge and nobody would be uplifted by achievement. (Note: I am not implying anyone who has ever used assistance is a bum – only those who have decided that they are entitled to it and intend to continue to live on it).

It must Uplift: If your goal leaves you where you are at currently, or pushes you or others down into the gutter, it is not a worthy goal. (“I want to be known as the greatest bank robber ever!”) That has been the unworthy goal of some actual bank robbers, but it did not uplift, it was therefore not worthy. (“I want to create a fast food restaurant that provides high quality fresh, hot food, fast, excellent service, and a wonderful customer experience.”) That was the worthy goal of Wendy’s creator Dave Thomas. Compare the two and you will quickly understand worthiness in a goal.

It must be Good: Notice how a worthy goal’s three points flow into each other. Goodness is simple. Does it help or does it hurt? Does it inspire others or does it confuse and cause fear in others. Does it create a wave of enthusiasm? Good goals build up and cause a spin-off of more good goals.

So that wraps things up for this part of the Achieve Master Series. Remember, you always get what you really want. The trick? Knowing what you truly want and making sure that it is worthy of you.

Please be sure to read my next article about how we progress in our destination towards our goals.

I am developing a software system to help with this process of achievement called “Achieve-Master”. Would you be interested in being a Beta Tester of this software? I have 15 slots available as of the posting of this article. Be sure to check out my site http://www.achievemaster.com and look for the link to sign up.

- David T. McKee

P.S.
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Seven bucks, the price of a combo meal at McDonald’s! Order one today and you will be reading and mining awesome ideas for years – just check out the post on this collection here. Order the collection here.

Note: This is copy-righted content, Copyright  2008, David T. McKee