Overcoming odds, doing what others might believe is impossible, executing successfully, then telling the story is inspirational. Why? Because many of us get discouraged by what seems to be an impossible task as even those close to us have their doubts. This causes us to question ourselves and our abilities. For most of us, our successes will not make national news, such as in 1980 when the American hockey team beat the Russians on their way to winning the gold medal. Instead, for most of us, our headlines are much smaller in scope and might sound like the following:
- Starting a new business
- Finishing a work project
- Seeing others realize an innovative idea
- Mending a broken relationship
- Meeting financial needs
- Paying off a mortgage
- Convincing a child to complete high school or college
- Making the team
David Urban, Dean of the Jennings A. Jones College of Business at Middle Tennessee State University, found a way to build Dale Carnegie Training into the school’s business curriculum. To date, he has seen 1,600 of his students graduate from the Dale Carnegie Course. He maintains a refreshingly positive attitude as he overcomes obstacles with a simple slogan we can all use: “This is our time…Right now!” His talk at the Dale Carnegie North American Regional in Charleston, South Carolina, last week was inspirational to everyone in attendance.
From my point of view, the greatest inspirational story ever written that gives me hope was when a servant leader was born in a cold barn, laid in a feeding trough, and wrapped in a mule blanket among the fresh smells of cows, sheep, pigs, chickens, and other farm animals. His mother, an unwed teenage girl who had no respect from others, endured many questioning looks for months and was informed there was no room in the warm Inn even though it was clear she was well on her way with child. What a gift to humanity, and the story has been retold for over 2,000 years. When understood, that story has given more peace and hope to people of every race, age, and economic circumstance than can be imagined or measured. Most amazing to me is that it was his choice to be born in such humble surroundings.
Send me a note and let me know what your headline will be in 2018.
Merry Christmas!
John Rodgers