Hi there everyone! It’s time for Part 6 in our 19-Part FinerMinds series on Becoming Just Awesome. We’re nearly one-third of the way there! How awesome are you all feeling? I know I’m feeling rather awesome. Just writing these articles does a lot for me. It forces me to truly internalize these concepts.
This week I’m going to cover two very important ideas: 1) Crossing the Finish Line; and 2) Making a Comeback. And I’m going to use Obama to help me do this!
CROSSING THE FINISH LINE
What exactly is crossing the finish line? It’s the act of seeing the finish line on the horizon, blazing towards it full throttle and blasting right through it. For some reason, many people, when their goal is in sight, choose to slow down. They literally get lazy 15 feet from the finish line. This is terrible. They dismantle all their hard work.
For example, imagine spending hours putting together the project proposal of your life only to give a feeble presentation because you had decided to go out for drinks the night before to celebrate having ‘finished’ your proposal. The person aiming to fly through the finish line would have used the last 10% of their energy to rehearse their proposal presentation, get a good night sleep and take a refreshing walk in the morning to clear their head for the day. It’s the ‘final kick’ that’s going to propel you towards success.
Recall the final days of Obama’s presidential campaign. The polls are saying he’s up. The media is reporting that he has a comfortable lead. Did he sit back? Did he let up? Absolutely not. Obama knew that if he was going to win, he must be fierce towards the end and charge for the line. And it doesn’t matter if you’re an Obama supporter or not. Everyone can learn from the collective energy he harnessed to propel him through the finish line.
Check out part of the speech he gave in New Hampshire 19 days prior to Election Day, where he talks about exactly this concept.
MAKING A COMEBACK
Now we’re onto the idea of making a comeback. ‘The comeback’ is equally important as crossing the finish line. Making a comeback is about turning failure around as quickly as possible, learning from your mistakes and keeping your eye on the final prize. If you fail or slow down, this doesn’t mean you should give up.
Too many people fail or encounter setbacks and use it as an excuse to have a pity party, instead of using it as a chance to step back, reflect and mobilize for even greater success. Dwelling on your failures in a negative way – meaning spending all your time going over the disappointments again and again without drawing any insight, perspective or knowledge for future action – is a dead end.
Let’s look at Obama as an example once more. Again, regardless of which way you lean politically, it is apparent that he is a character that can take hits, but keep locked on his end goal. Despite setbacks and personal attacks, he was continuously channeling the larger picture.
Have a look at Obama’s speech given in San Antonio, Texas during the Primaries. He didn’t know which way Texas was going to go, Hillary had just won Rhode Island and Ohio, but he spends the majority of his time articulating his greater vision and connecting with the public.
Please share any moments when you’ve either charged through the finish or made an awesome comeback. Inspire us!
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When I was in college, I started a new year at a new university and was having a rather difficult time getting the financial aid I had already secured in advance. Everyday, it was something new like needing a copy of a letter from a legal guardian or my ss card which I had lost or the registrar only cutting checks on certain days, etc. The semester had already started and I had no money for books, lodging or even food toward the end. My parents were very poor so it was vital that I get that money. A month passed with all of my belongings piled into my car while I was sleeping in a teachers’ lounge where my few bits of jewelry had subsequently been stolen. I was getting desperate! So one day I walked down to the registrar and spoke with the manager, pleading with him and relaying my situation, he refused to give me my check. I was sobbing. Before I left, I looked at him and said, “I’m getting that check today.” His response was, “I highly doubt that.” So what did I do? I went into the president of the university’s office and demanded to speak with her. They told me she was in a meeting. I told them I wanted to talk to her right that moment, that I was a student and it was important. They did it! She came out of her meeting and I promptly broke the problem down for her. She made one phone call and within twenty minutes my check was available. When I saw the manager of the registrar’s office, I just grinned. If you want something badly enough-nothing can stop you, even when you’re a broke homeless kid.
Continueing to be assertive or resistant in the face of tough odds is a great quality — it may even be the quality that separates winners from losers. It’s something that can be learned in the field of sports but is not necessarily applied to any other area of human endeavour in a direct way. This speech of Obama’s is so interesting for the way he circumnavigates his precarious position and has the audacity to use trademark heartstring declamation. As always thanks for sharing.
We are taught to look, talk, and think about what we ‘do’ want and never ever about what we don’t want.
Sounds like Barak Obama follows that directive!!!
I know for most of us signed in here, know our thoughts create reality. In spite of knowing, i am such a hardhead! I dont seem to get it but now i realize all my hard work and study is paying off!!!
I have inventions that are being considered for manufacture. I have immersed myself in internet marketing and the possibilites are endless. I work for the most generous and loving boss in 60 yrs.
Now for the good part… I forgot to pay my phone bill and when i checked my bank account, i only had $5.77. The good part, was my reaction to that. I know… i Know… it’s ok. My peace, my happiness, wasn’t affected by the illusion of reality. A year ago i would have been falling apart.
Somehow.. for the last 60 yrs. I have made it through similar conditions. I know… that unexpected check is in the mail. I dont know or expect where it’s comming from… i just know.
I was recently employed at a company that provides a free education for those that work for them. This is a rare thing these days. I have wanted to go to school for so long but it seemed there was no possible way.
To make a long story short, my car broke down and it forced me to take a bus to work. Another hinderance. My work hours didn’t jive with my college hours. I refused to believe anything but the fact that the Universe is here to assist me, not oppose me. My affirmation was, “The Universe bends easily to my needs.
Guess what? A position opened up on the graveyard shift. My car was still broken but I recieved a 500 dollar bonus check from my company (And in this time, that is a miracle!). So, Monday was my first day. I had to be there at 5:00 p.m. I was late and was considering giving up catching the bus. I kept saying to myself as I ran, “I do not give up, I do not give up!” The bus was running late and I got there in plenty of time for my first class. I still a little short on fixing my car but I know now not to give up. We might arrive out of breath, but, we’ll arrive!!!
JJ
I am like Henry, Just over a year ago I would be flustered over the way things are going in my business and my bank accounts. But as I feel that we created what is around us. I feel something good is headed my way and have felt that way for along time were, how, or when is not up to me the feeling of already having received is what I have to feel. Mind Miracles happen and sometime I feel like the right side of my brain is working or vibrating on something big I hope to be able to share with others.
I checked my post office box.…..$100.00!!!!! It was there!!!! I haven’t talked to my older brother for at least a month and there was a Christmas Card with the most beautiful note.
The invention i had was only an idea and yesterday with the help of my oven and some pvc pipe, vise grips and potholders i made a working model and was at the meeting i30 miles from here and they loved it!!! (Invent help). This morning before I went to the post office i didnt have enough gas money!!!
Thats not all..the internet marketing thing i’ve been working on…the ad wasn’t supposed to go out till next month and for an unknown reason… Solo Ads sent an email with a bunch of helpful downloads to help me understand what else i could do in the meantime…she told me she would send it out today (my add) but only today.…wait..10 days before Christmas to 450,000 people that have shown intrest in the product??? The possibilities are endless!!!
For the first time in my life, i just know the universe is feeling my vibes, I accepted where i was and and i am happy with that. All of a sudden.…great, fun ideas come to me and i act on them. The right people show up at the right time.
A lot more happened.…no, i said enough. Think good things. be happy, we are energy taht listens to the vibes!!!
w/love, henry