MANY years ago, just out of my teens I read two books that really changed my life.
One was ‘The Power of Positive Thinking’ by Norman Vincent Peale and the other was “Think and Grow Rich’ by Dale Carnegie.
In those two books I was told I could dramatically improve my station in life and get whatever I wanted just by believing I could do so. I call that my mountain top experience.
Have you ever had a mountaintop experience? Not literally climbing a mountain, although that can have the same effect, I’ve heard. I mean a very special moment, perhaps at a particularly awe-inspiring natural setting.
Or maybe at an event – like a conference or retreat where you heard powerful, highly motivating speakers and leaders that inspired you to do things differently, or better, or with greater zeal.
Over the years there have been numerous “mountaintop experiences in my life including visiting a natural wonder like the Niagara Falls with its unimaginable grandeur, was one such occasion.
But most often my “mountaintops” have come during conferences and other professional and spiritual gatherings.
There I meet wonderful people and heard outstanding messages that have challenged me to change myself to become a better man, husband, father, businessman, writer, editor, mentor, and friend.
Sometimes my experiences included what I term a “spiritual high,” feelings of euphoria, excitement and enthusiasm that had me convinced I would never be the same. “I am going to change myself completely,” I would think.
There is only one problem: We cannot remain on the mountaintop. We must return to the valley, back to where deadlines, job demands, financial stresses, unreasonable coworkers, bosses and clients reside.
Sometimes back in the “valley,” the pressures of everyday life hit us so strongly that we quickly wonder, “I felt so excited just a few days ago reading that book or hearing that speaker. What’s wrong now?”
So what do we do once we leave the mountaintop behind and return to our day-to-day problems? How can we succeed in following through on our resolve to make necessary changes even after the glow of the mountaintop moment fades?
Simple, I think the most important factor is to translate your resolve into action. Change that feeling of euphoria, into a compelling force that will push you on.
See the goal, remember the speech you heard or each line in the book you read, every moment as you face your everyday challenges.
If you need to stay motivated all the time, you need to remember your mountain experience when you are down in the valley of mundane everyday life..!
