“...whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”- Philippians 4:8

When a life is not guided by values, anywhere is safe haven for such a life. Time, life’s most valuable currency, has no value to such people. They abuse time as much as they abuse relationships. Those who abuse these two crucial elements will also abuse whatever resources are available to them.

Have you noticed that great people do not speak carelessly? So learn to choose your words carefully. Your words say a lot about you. If you desire to be a role model, you cannot be careless with your tongue. Apostle Paul counsels, “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt...”

Words are the currency of transaction in relationships. Whoever can control his own tongue can control everything else. No matter how lofty your public image is, once people know that you are wont to fly off the handle and descend to the level of gutter language at the slightest provocation, they lose all respect for you. Why?

Anyone can use gutter language. A man of purpose is however not just anyone. People admire and look up to you because you are doing something they love but cannot or are not currently doing. So when you betray that expectation, you lose their respect. Your words are a mirror of your persona. Polish them. Teach your mouth to speak with grace and you will offer less explanation for your actions. Words can wound or heal. Jesus actually equates unwholesome words with murder! Watch your utterances and you may not need to watch anything else! Make your words sweet; in case you have to swallow them!

The journey towards greatness is not a solo pursuit. You will need people. However, not everybody is relevant to your destiny. According to Jim Rohn, “Philosophy is mostly influenced by ideas, ideas are mostly influenced by education, and education is mostly influenced by the people with whom we associate.”

So you must choose your relationships. I can sit for hours with people of mutual ideals with me. Conversely, there are some individuals I would not spend ten minutes with because such time is a drain on my energy level. Mark Twain counsels “Keep away from small people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.”

Do an audit of your circle of relationships. Which ones need to go and which ones can you not do without? Who are your mentors? A mentor is someone who is already walking in the reality of your loftiest dreams. An appropriate association with mentors is one of life’s greatest levers into the future. Your relationships must be defined by your core values.

To become great, you must deliberately choose the path of growth. You lose touch with greatness the day you stop growing. The most effective path of personal growth is learning. When you stop learning, you start dying. According to Charles ‘Tremendous’ Jones, “The only difference between where you are today, and where you’ll be a year from today, are the books you read and the people you meet.”

Great leaders are avid readers. Never allow your mind become atrophied by ignorance. The man who will not read good books is said to have no advantage over the man who cannot read. Stretch your mind. Read. Listen to others. Be more observant of your environment. Nature is an entire classroom and life itself is an entire school.

Finally, choose your attitude. A negative outlook to life is the shortest cut to a life of frustration. According to Tom Blandi, “Our attitudes control our lives. Attitudes are a secret power working 24 hours a day for good or bad. It is of paramount importance that we know how to harness and control this great force.” Michael Sedas said, “It’s not about what happens. It’s about perspective. I may not be able to change what takes place, but I can always choose to change my thinking.”

Life is not really about what happens to us but what happens in us! A young boy was visiting with his grandparents. In one of his playful moments, he saw his grandfather sleeping in his reclining chair. He took a piece of rancid cheese and rubbed it on grandpa’s moustache. On waking up, the old man perceived the pungent odour and exclaimed, “The whole world stinks!” But in reality, where was the stench coming from?

You were designed for greatness. However, it is not attained by a drive for the mundane but by deliberate choices we make in our everyday living and relationships. Greatness is more of a process than an attainment. It is not so much what we have achieved but what we become in the process.

The future is not in tomorrow. It’s in you. So wake up, dress up, shape up and get ready to move up! See you at the top!

Remember, the sky is not your limit, God is!