Persistence and Resolve is How Achievers are Made
In my previous post, Are You Exercising a Life of Devoted Persistence?, I challenged you to consider whether you are living a life of persistence.
The concept was introduced by having you think about the following set of questions:
Do I think outside the box?
Do I limit myself too much?
Do I ask for help?
Do I make the best out of every opportunity?
Do I create opportunities?
Do I let negativity discourage me?
Do I impact others?
To give you a sense of devoted persistence, I shared a story with you about Michael Strahan, who as of this writing will be leaving his show, LIVE with Kelly and Michael, for a full-time slot on Good Morning America. Congratulations Michael!
That story was about how Michael handled the realization that he was a bit hefty. Rather than resorting to eating more, something many of us do when we are sad, disappointed, or devastated, Michael did something to change. He showed persistence, grit, and determination.
He did so by first seeking out help from his father. He wanted to know what he could do to change. From there he did something probably most pre-teen boys, or any boy or man would have done, he purchased for himself Jane Fonda VHS tapes to work out to at least three times a week. Most importantly, he was resolved to change.
Michael showed us an example of how to obtain something that you really want.
I stated in that post that I would be sharing with you a three part series to help you answer and get ideas for addressing the questions above in your life. The series began with Michael Strahan. This post, the second in the series, continues with David Banks.
David Banks: Who Said Only One?
David Banks is President and CEO of the Eagle Academy Foundation.
He is also one of the founders of the Eagle Academy for Young Men in the South Bronx, NY where he served as the principal.
What is being done for underserved young men in NYC and Newark, NJ is amazing. Be sure to check out David’s book, Soar, to learn more about the school. It is even more inspiring than what I am about to share with you.
Before opening the school, David worked in the field of law.
The question is, how does someone working in the field of law become a secondary school administrator?
You will learn in a little bit that it is by resolve, persistence, drive, determination, and thinking outside the box.
Sometimes Resolve Gets You Far Quickly
Recently I had the opportunity to have lunch with David after he had spoken to a group of work colleagues.
During lunch he was asked a question similar to the one above. “How did you go from being in law to opening a school and becoming a school administrator?”
David smiled and replied, “I mention it my book, but it (education) was my calling.”
Heeding to the call, David decided he wanted to go into education administration. Not only that, he wanted to be working in the field by September.
It was January.
To get the job he wanted he needed 24 credits, of which he did not have.
How could he possibly earn 24 credits in nine months?
He did not believe that he couldn’t.
He did not limit himself.
He resolved that he would.
Here is how he showed that resolve.
David said he recalled lying in bed wondering how he could possibly meet his goal when a thought hit him.
“Who said you only had to attend one school?”
After doing some research, David made what seemed improbable, possible.
While still working his full-time job in the legal profession, David attended three different graduate schools in the same semester!
He had a job in education administration in September when school started.
That’s what I call resolve.
Lessons from David Banks
Give yourself a deadline.
Do not limit yourself.
Think outside the box.
Resolve is How You Make What You Want Happen
As I listened to David tell his story, I grew more and more inspired. His story, like Michael Strahan’s, offer the reminders and guidance we need to achieve what we say that we want.
Let these lessons from Michael Strahan and David Banks help move you to achieving what you want.
Next week we will learn from Carla Harris, Vice Chairman, Wealth Management, Managing Director and Senior Client Advisor at Morgan Stanley.
Start the Discussion: What have you been wanting to do? How will you begin applying what you learned hear to make that happen? Share in the post comments, on Facebook or Twitter.