OK – Since I should be on day 23 or so, maybe I should post on discipline and procrastination.  Instead of that I think I will just extend the time and finish it over the entire year. In fact, it is somewhat ironic that on a day that I am admitting my lack of disciplne, I am about to quote from a man that made his entire life about motivation: Zig Ziglar. Zig Ziglar is the master motivator.  He has wrtitten tons if books over the years.  His first breakthrough book was called “See you at the Top.”  It was a breakthrough succes, so he began writing a follow up called “Over the Top.”  While he was in the process of writing, his editor had a discussion with him.  He informed Zig that he has never explained what the top meant.  He had a book called “See you at the Top” and was writing a book called “Over the Top,” but he had never explained what “the top” was.  Below is a description of the top.  Which leads to my sixth (out of 39) thing that I have learned in 39 years.

Day 6- Many people are trying to climb their way to the top……..Make sure you know what’s at the top, before you spend your life climbing toward it.

I decided many years ago that Zig Ziglars definition of “the top” is what I will spend the rest of my life climbing toward. I hope it will greatly impact your life as it did mine.  If Zig Ziglar happens to be searching through the North Side web page and stumbles upon this, I would like to say thanks (and could we go to lunch).

“At The Top”

You are at the top when…

  • You clearly understand that failure is an event, not a person, that yesterday ended last night, and today is your brand new day.
  • You have made friends with your past, are focused on the present, and optimistic about your future.
  • You know that success doesn’t make you and failure doesn’t break you.
  • You are filled with faith, hope and love; and live without anger, greed, guilt, envy or thoughts of revenge.
  • You are mature enough to delay gratification and shift your focus from your rights to your responsibilities.
  • You know that failure to stand for what is morally right is the prelude to being the victim of what is criminally wrong.
  • You are secure in who you ared whose you are, so you are at peace with God and in fellowship with man.
  • You have made friends of your adversaries, and have gained the love and respect of those who know you best.
  • You understand that others can give you pleasure, but genuine happiness comes when you do things for others.
  • You are pleasant to the grouch, courteous to the rude and generous to the needy.
  • You love the unlovable, give hope to the hopeless, friendship to the friendless and encouragement to the discouraged.
  • You can look back in forgiveness, forward in hope, down in compassion and up with gratitude.
  • You know that “he who would be the greatest among you must become the servant of all.”
  • You recognize, confess, develop and use your God-given physical, mental and spiritual abilities to the glory of God and for the benefit of mankind.
  • You stand in front of the Creator of the universe and He says to you, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”