You can do anything you set your mind to

After a tough ten years, back against the wall again.

The load seems heavier this time, but quitting is not an option.

For anyone else who feels the same, what helps me, and what I will be doing now,
is to create a vision founded upon a purpose that I can fully commit to. And then
hold that vision constantly before my mind by reading inspirational books,
creating a video composed of inspirational clips which I will watch daily,
and creating a motivational mp3 to listen to when falling asleep.

As long as the good Lord grants me breath, I’ll keep fighting.

That reminds me of a beautiful clip from the movie The Last Samurai – Life in every breath.

Never Give Up

Amazing man, amazing message:

Go For It!

I must have been living in a programmer’s purgatory too long to have missed Matt Cardle performing The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face on the X-Factor.

Stunning. I’ve heard numerous versions of this, but Matt’s performance was simply amazing.

What’s even more amazing is his determination to achieve his goals.

From wikipidia:

“…When he was two, he was diagnosed with Wilms’ tumour; he recovered after having one of his kidneys removed….Cardle has had jobs as a bricklayer, postman, milkman and most recently, painter and decorator.”

If you have a dream, go for it!

Without further ado:

Donald Trump On Success

Donald Trump maps out the path to success:

#1. Be Thorough
#2. Maintain Momentum
#3. Stay Focused
#4. Solution Oriented
#5. Recognize Opportunities
#6. Be a Specialist
#7. Passion
#8. Vision
#9. Be Smart
#10. Never Give Up

Thinking Big

It’s ironic that when we were young, when we were so small, our dreams were so big, we believed we could achieve anything, that life was magical. Yet when we grew up, when we became big, our dreams often became small, even non-existent. There are many reasons for this, but I suspect a major one is that we listen too much to those who tell us what is not possible.

I recently listened to an audio book which made the assertion that if you’re fat, it’s because you choose to be fat. You choose to eat unhealthy food and not exercise. I was startled by that simple realization, and the implications: I can take control of my life now and change it for the better.

According to Scholastic Philosophy, unlike animals which achieve their potential by growing, humans have another dimension: habit. There are three orders of habit: intellectual, moral, and functional. Which correspond to the three dimensions: knowing, doing, and making. For example, If I want to be a software engineer, I must have the habit of software engineering. If I want to be a runner, I must have the habit of running. The habits are related, any marathon runner can attest to the need for fortitude when the going gets tough. I am where I am in life, largely because of my habits. Therefore, by changing my habits, I can change my life. I’m not a product of circumstances, nor limited by someone’s expectation of who I should be, I can take control of my own life right now, embrace change and move forward, and start dreaming again. If I don’t do it, nobody will do it for me – the calvary ain’t coming.

“Excellence is not an act, but a habit” - Aristotle.

Yet change is often difficult. You need a vision which rests solidly upon purpose, for vision directs and inspires us, and purpose gives integrity and strength of resolve to our pursuit. Yet, the going often get’s tough, and that’s when we need motivation.

Chinese New Year

One good thing about living in Singapore is you get a second chance at your New Year Resolutions.

Here is an inspiring video for those of you who have tasked themselves with losing weight this year:

And here is a short video discussing how hard Stallone worked on getting himself into shape for Rambo II:

I need all the motivation I can get

Happy New Year!

Gladiator Motivation Video

A nice motivational video.

If by Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream – and not make dreams your master,
If you can think – and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ‘em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on!”

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings – nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And – which is more – you’ll be a Man, my son!