Do you ever wonder why certain individuals seem to achieve so much during their lives? It seems people who accomplish success are often viewed as being different, strange or just plain lucky. Some even think they have a secret formula for success.

But if you were to look closely you would find that one thing more than anything else typifies the successful person. And that's commitment. The ability to commit to accomplishing something and to keep going when others give up.

There's a famous quotation, "Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not-nothing is more common. Genius will not-unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not-the world is full of educated derelicts. Commitment and determination alone are omnipotent."

That's it. Commitment and determination are the secrets you need to know. The person who makes up his or her mind as to what he or she wants, and who with determination stays with it, will most certainly accomplish it.

The trouble with most people, the people who don't accomplish what they are capable of, is that they don't know what they want. They try first one thing and then another; or else they're marking time, waiting for some unknown "opportunity" to come along. If they would make up their mind as to what they want to accomplish, and commit to it with persistence and determination, they could relax in the certain knowledge that, while it might take a long time, one day they will definitely reach the fulfillment of their dream.

Commitment is the condition that makes dreams come true. If a person persists long enough, he or she must and will become qualified for that which he or she seeks. Now, talent will help, as will genius and common sense, the more you have working for you, the better. But the fact remains that a person who lacks talent, genius and even education can still go where he or she wants to go-if he or she only knew the truth.

I think the real reason more people don't reach the level of success they desire is that they don't know what causes success. They think it's difficult and complicated and involves magic or luck. So, as a result, they don't make a commitment and don't try hard enough to do what they are capable of doing.

It's possible for a man or woman who knows where he or she is going, and who musters the persistence to get there, to do more in one year than others accomplish in five years and to go further in five years than an average person would do in thirty years.

So, decide where you are going and then decide you are going to make the commitment to get there. You deserve the rewards that are waiting for you. Remember:"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not-nothing is more common. Genius will not-unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not-the world is full of educated derelicts. Commitment and determination alone are omnipotent."

Thought for today: Commit today to live up to your potential and you will soon reap the rewards you desire.

Have a productive week.

BF