This week we all enjoyed the rest and relaxation that resulted from having an extra day added to our weekend by the “Discovery Day holiday” oops National Heroes’ Day! As the debate continues about whether we will continue to observe 12th October as Discovery Day recognizing the accomplishments of Christopher Columbus or change it to a day to recognize the achievement of our stellar nation builders, I want us to reflect on what really happened on October 12, 1492.
While Christopher Columbus remains a mysterious and controversial figure who has been “variously described as one of the greatest mariners in history, a visionary genius, a mystic, a national hero, a failed administrator, a naive entrepreneur, and a ruthless and greedy imperialist.” There remains no question that what he accomplished for Spain was remarkable.
Columbus’s desire to find a westward route to Asia grew in part from his practical experience gained from a long and varied maritime career and his considerable reading in geographical and theological literature. This all helped to convince him that the world was round and not flat as many of his time believed and he was determined to prove it. He had nothing to lose!
After settling for a time in Portugal, where he tried unsuccessfully to get support for his project he moved to Spain. In Spain after many difficulties, he was able to persuade King Isabel and Fernando to support his vision.
On 3rd August 1492 he set sail from Palos, Spain. His journey was not without difficulties as he was shipwrecked in the Canary Island in September but continued to persevere and on 12th October sighted and made landfall in the most beautifull country in the world, The Bahamas not Asia as he expected. Since Columbus never achieved his goal of a new route to Asia, it is quite easy to say that he was a failure but what I want you to focus on is his achievement.
You see, once Columbus had made the trip he proved that the world was indeed round and became famous throughout Europe. He secured for himself the title of Admiral of the Ocean Sea and further royal patronage. But none of this would have happened if Columbus had not decided to pursue his dream. He decided to take action!
While Columbus made three more trips to the New World and died believing that he had discovered a new route to Asia, he opened up a whole new world to the Europeans. A world of opportunities, adventure and riches. What worlds will you open for you and your family if you just decide to move beyond your fears, your obstacles and begin to take action? Don’t allow yourself to be paralysed by what you do not know or understand, use what you do know and learn as you move along.
Once you decide to take action you would be surprised by the result you will receive. Michael Jordan and Larry Bird are considered two of the greatest players in the history of basketball and one of the reason for this is that, when they are on the court they never stop moving. They continue to move even without the ball and this movement create opportunities for their teammates to pass them the ball in scoring position. To succeed you must take action!
Many people have dreams but they never take action, therefore their dreams are never realized. There are many stories and sayings that remind us to take action, to begin and to persevere, such as:
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
“If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”
“Rome wasn’t built in a day.”
There is the reminder from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to, “Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” And Goethe wrote, “Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.”
Where can you begin today?
My sons Rashad and Nadario are determined to be professional golf players when they grows up, and at age 11 and 14 they are doing everything they can to achieve their dream. They read and watch videos of great golfers, they practise and play regularly and surround themselves with items that remind them of golf, even their computer screensaver displays a Nike golf ball. They are now starting to talk about golf school. They have a dream, and day by day are taking the steps to make their dream come true.
What actions will you take to begin the journey toward your dreamsï¾…today?
What can you do today to move toward your dream? What can you read? Who can you call? What skill could you practice? What actions can you take to prepare for the day when you stand tall, at the top of your mountain and proclaim, “I’ve made it!
Whatever you desire to achieve, start it today. Take some action in the direction you want to go. Then take another, and another. Action has power and decisiveness in it. Action gives us enthusiasm, builds our confidence and encourages us to go further. Success requires and is based on action. Just Do it!
And finally, have and work with a coach. As a professional coach, it’s tempting to say, “hire a coach”, but that’s not always necessary. Sometimes, a professional coach is the answer, and in that case, the sooner you make the commitment, invest the time and money and energy and get started, the faster you’ll achieve your goals. But, whether you hire a professional or not, have and use a coach!
“It is good to dream, but it is better to dream and work. Faith is mighty, but action with faith is mightier. Desiring is helpful, but work and desire are invincible.” — Thomas Robert Gaines
By Glenn Ferguson
Glenn Ferguson is a financial planner who specializes in retirement coaching
