As you may know, I'm a student of personal development. I've read hundreds of books on the subject. I've listened to tapes and CDs. I've attended workshops and seminars. Therefore, I believe that I'm uniquely qualified to tell you that none of this stuff works; at least, if you don't also work. Remember, you can't make footprints in the sands of time while sitting on your butt. And I don't know about you, but I don't want to make buttprints in the sands of time.

Sadly, that's exactly what many people are doing. They're making buttprints in the sands of time. Sure, they intend on running the marathon, writing the book, healing their marriage, or starting the business one of these days. But today, they are sitting on their butts, waiting for their "big break." They're like the good and faithful man who fell on hard times.

One night in desperation, he prayed, "Dear God please let me win the lottery!" At first, he was optimistic that God would grant his wish. However, after not winning for several months, his faith began to falter. After a year, he became downright bitter. In anger, he shouted at the heavens, "God, I believed you would help me, yet an entire year has passed without you answering my prayers!" At that moment, lightning flashed and thunder rolled and a voice bellowed from the heavens, "Give me a break up here! The least you could do is buy a ticket!"

Have your bought your ticket? Well, until you do, your fantasies of fame and fortune are just that; fantasies. They're about as real as Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. Your big break isn't going to just miraculously appear one day. You're going to have to go out and make it happen.

Make It Happen (Part II)

The simple truth of the matter is that nothing good in life just happens. A good marriage doesn't just happen; it requires work on the part of both spouses. Raising happy, healthy and well-adjusted children doesn't just happen; it requires work. The same is true about having a successful business, social organization, church or you name it.

Anything worth having is going to take effort. Think about it. Do you think that Mount Rushmore was the result of natural erosion? Of course not. It took thousands of people working tirelessly to create this national treasure.

There is an even greater treasure in you. And just like Mount Rushmore, it's going to require hard work to bring it out of its current form. Now, certainly, developing the proper mental attitude and adopting the habits of success people will help in the process. However, the first and the foremost step for each of us is to get off our butts and start chiseling.