I’m sure many of you have heard of Og Mandino, who wrote The Greatest Salesman in the World. What many of you might not know is that Og, after giving up on his dream of becoming a great writer, began stopping at bars and became a full blown alcoholic. After his wife left him taking their daughter he wandered around aimlessly, without hope. He was miserable and his faith in himself slowly drained away and he found himself contemplating suicide.
Something kept him from taking that next step and one night he found himself in a public library. It was a snowy night in Cleveland and the library was warm. he selected a couple of books on self-help, motivation, and success. If he wasn’t going to end his life, Mandino knew he had to find a better way to live. At this point, he had failed in every attempt at success and fulfillment.
The public library soon became his favorite place and he reviewed hundreds of sales, personal development, motivation, and success books. This new habit of reading and learning gradually replaced his habit of drinking. Over time, he experienced a dramatic shift in his beliefs and behaviors which led him to the first and greatest axiom in The Greatest Salesman in the World: I will form good habits and become their slave – replace a bad habit from my life with a good one that will bring me closer to success.
After reading Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude in a New Hampshire library, he was so impressed with W. Clement Stone’s philosophy of success, that one must be prepared to pay a price in order to achieve any worthwhile goals, that he decided he wanted to work for Stone. He went on to become the author of 22 top-selling books. His own willingness, action and perseverance made him into the greatest salesman in the world.
Og Mandino said, “My Dreams are worthless, my plans are dust, my goals are impossible. All are of no value unless they are followed by action.” I WILL ACT NOW. When the lion is hungry, he eats. When the eagle has thirst, he drinks. Lest they act, both will perish. I hunger for success. I thirst for happiness and peace of mind. Lest I act, I will perish in a life of failure, misery and sleepless nights. I will command, and I will obey my own command.
I WILL ACT NOW. Success will not wait. If I delay, she will become betrothed to another and lost to me forever. This is the time. I am the man. I WILL ACT NOW.
What bad habits do you need to replace with good habits? What habits are holding you back from living a life of success and fulfillment? DON’T WAIT, ACT NOW!!
Get into action and make it an awesome day.
