“There are costs and risks to a program of action, but they are far less than the long-range
risks and costs of comfortable inaction.” – President John F. Kennedy
- What is your dream … your quest?
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Why did you choose your magnificent quest?
- How did you choose the people to join and help you pursue your amazing quest?
- Did the first 10 years of your journey, as an adult, start off well?
- What “do-overs” would you like to snare a second chance at?
- Will you, at the end of your unique, magical journey, sip champagne of success or drink from the crowded “settled for / good enough” fountain ?
The Impossible Dream (The Quest)
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In this song, Don Quixote explains his quest and the reasons behind it … in doing so, he captures the essence of the play and its philosophical underpinnings.
To dream … the impossible dream …
To fight … the unbeatable foe …
To bear … with unbearable sorrow …
To run … where the brave dare not go …
To right … the unrightable wrong …
To love … pure and chaste from afar …
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To try … when your arms are too weary …
To reach … the unreachable star …
This is my quest, to follow that star …
No matter how hopeless, no matter how far …
To fight for the right, without question or pause …
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To be willing to march into Hell, for a Heavenly cause …
And I know if I’ll only be true, to this glorious quest,
That my heart will lie, will lie peaceful and calm,
when I’m laid to my rest …
And the world will be better for this:
That one man, scorned and covered with scars,
Still strove, with his last ounce of courage,
To reach … the unreachable star …!
Lyrics by Joe Darion
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Professional, personal and community are all intertwined in our holistic journey through life as we traverse toward our dreams. Are there any “Silver Bullets” to being successful on our quests? The simple answer, I believe is, “No”. The more complex answer is, “Yes”, but it’ll apply to, for no better words, a “Platinum Bullet”. Platinum is harder; thus, more scratch and corrosion resistant than silver. These are important attributes since our quests will be met with oppositions, corrosive people, etc., and we’ll need to be able to press on while being materially undamaged.
Yes, I believe you can create a “Platinum Bullet” through development of yourself into a Top-7%’er. Most will suggest that developing yourself in a multi-faceted manner, does not “meet” the widely held, simple definition of a “Silver Bullet”. As you develop yourself in multiple, diverse talents, I believe and ask you to please share this belief with me, no dreams are impossible. I’ll hit on a few of, what I believe to be, critical components that are included (not an exhaustive summary) in this “Platinum Bullet”.
- Overall, a Top-7% Talent Portfolio – For extremely challenging quests during your life journey, I believe, you’ll need a wide array of talents. Whichever critical talent that’s needed to be successful, that you’re not strong in, will become the weak link in the opportunity-chain of success.
- Vision of a Future Self – Succinctly, you’ll need to be capable of seeing your dream becoming a reality, as crystal clear as you currently see today. There’s no substitute for this rare, critical skill.
- Inner-Circle – Succinctly, I believe, your dreams will live and die, based on who is in your Inner-Circle. As Warren Buffet so eloquently points out, this all starts with your choice of a life partner (or partners if the first, second, etc. don’t work out).
- Comprehensive-DMQ – Your Decision Making Quality (DMQ) impacts all the other bullets in this summary. If you believe your Talent Portfolio or Vision of a Future Self are in the Top-7%, but objectively they’re closer to “Average”, you’ll encounter many challenges.
- Gritty Ex-Ex – The tenacity and unwavering commitment to Execution-Excellence (Ex-Ex), regardless of the obstacles, unknowns, etc., is the only road available for success while pursuing your quest.
Enjoy the roller-coaster ride on your unique, magical and spectacular quest
for leading an amazing, purpose-driven life!
Who changes the world? I believe it’s almost exclusively the Top-7%. They are the only ones with the Talent Portfolios and social consciences needed to actually implement significant positive social impact.
If you believe you’re one of these executives, we’d love to explore possible opportunities.
Get Making A Difference! ~ JR
