Break And Move Beyond The Length Of The Chains

"Never let fear, procrastination or the longing for approval from others to take possession of your mind, they become self-forged chains." ~ Ty Howard

Have you ever experienced a moment in your life where you wondered "What to do next?"

Have you ever had a bolt of confidence spring into your being just as you were going to start working towards a new goal, but your comfort zone held you back?

Have you ever had the feeling "It's now or never!" but you didn't make your move?

If you answered "Yes" to any of the above questions, you at one time wore the self-forged chains.

I think we all have, or at least will don the self-forged chains in our lives at one time or another. However, we must not become paralyzed and enchained by the set patterns that have been given to us by the world.

There is an old African story that says, "If you take a baby elephant, place a chain around one of its back legs, hook the chain to a stake, and then drive that stake into the ground to restrain the baby elephant until it's big enough to fend for itself. When the caretaker removes both the stake and the chain from the elephant's back leg, the elephant will not venture out beyond the length of the chain that once restrained him. The story goes on to say that the elephant has been conditioned to accept residency in a mental prison given to him by his caretaker."

We've all heard the old adage "An elephant never forgets," and this story is a prime example of how an elephant's ability to not forget can do more harm than help.

Through my observation of people throughout life, the same thing happens to humans. We become conditioned to believe that we can only go a far as our chains will extend. We are conditioned to believe things like: "No one in my family ever graduated from college," "We grew up in this type of neighborhood - this is it," "I was born to fail," "I'm damaged goods," "My life is one big joke," "I'm a realist not a dream chaser. Why should I try to break free from the chains? Why should I try to pull up the stake? Why should I set myself up to fail?"

I ask you, "Why not?"

If failure weren't an option, would you put out more effort?

If money weren't an issue, would you take more risks?

Is there anyone better suited and deserving of success than you?

The best selling novelist and the unpublished writer both have the same dictionary full of words to work with. The difference is one took action while the other went through the motions.

The most successful entrepreneur and the get-rich-quick visionary both have the same basic skills and resources to work with. The difference is one is willing to evolve through a process while the other is looking for the next quick deal.

And there is almost no visible difference between the fastest sprinter in the world and one who finishes last. They both run the race by the same rules; yet, the winner is the one committed to win. The winner is the athlete who does what it takes, who trains day after day, who adds a little extra effort to each workout, who can visualize crossing the finish line ahead of the rest.

I ask you again, "Why not you?"

Mahatma Gandhi said, "You can chain me, you can torture me, you can even destroy this body, but you will never imprison my mind."

We all will experience different challenges and circumstances throughout life, some more demoralizing or traumatizing than others. I encourage you even in the mist of uncertainty and despair to never allow the chains of complacency to imprison you. We must continue to lay our foundation stones, inch by inch, together, until the entire chain breaks giving way to new birth and possibility to our future.

You have what it takes to achieve greatness in anything you desire. Within you, is the potential for extraordinary accomplishment. Do not voluntarily chain yourself to the stake. If you are chained right now - put it up, through it away and move forward! No one is better suited for success than you. See every achievement as a stepping stone to greater things.

When challenges arise, and they will, smile and say, "That's great because ________." Then find a way to cross the finish line ahead of the rest.

Greet your future with your eyes open, your head held high, a glide in your stride and no thoughts of regret - success is there for you!

Remember: Sometimes you have to take action because YOU know it's the right thing to do. Because YOU choose not to succumb to limits set for you by the world. Because YOU know your life isn't a dress rehearsal.

Go ahead - Break and Move Beyond the Length of the Chains!

About The Author

Copyright © by Ty Howard All Rights Reserved.

Ty Howard of http://www.tyhoward.com is one of America's TOP and in-demand business and motivational speakers on the circuit. He's an expert known for inspiring, teaching and empowering professionals and individuals to achieving lifelong success. Subscribe to his FREE bi-weekly e-zine 'The Inspirational Booster' by sending a blank e-mail to: InspirationalBoosters-subscribe@tyhoward. com

WELT ONLINE
Djokovic Feels Fine, and That's Motivation Enough Against Roddick
Washington Post, United States - 6 hours ago
By Liz Clarke Whether real or imagined, Novak Djokovic's list of ailments was so long just two days ago that Andy Roddick couldn't help but poke fun. ...
Angry Djokovic exacts revenge on Roddick CNN International
Novak Djokovic defeats Andy Roddick to set up semi-final showdown ... Telegraph.co.uk
Djokovic, angered by Roddick, beats him at US Open The Associated Press
Tennis-X.com - Sportsnet.caall 2,409 news articles

Boston Globe
Giant upset puts motivation’s at Pats’ fingertips
Boston Herald, United States - 23 hours ago
By Gerry Callahan The ball stayed there on the side of David Tyree’s helmet like it was attached with Velcro, a play so strange and fluky that it still ...
These guys are only motivated not to look back Boston Globe
Predicting the future: Ten things that will unfold in the '08 season CNN International
Week One handicapping column Pro Football Weekly
News Chief - Boston Globeall 200 news articles

Vancouver Sun
Giants have motivation for repeat performance
Press & Sun-Bulletin, NY - Sep 3, 2008
By Tom Canavan • AP • September 4, 2008 EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ -- Winning the Super Bowl didn't remove the chip on the New York Giants' shoulder. ...
Giants Quickly Display Their Defensive Prowess Washington Post
Despite audibles, reliable defense keeps G-Men dangerous CBSSports.com
Giants to doubters: We're still Super New York Daily News
The Canadian Pressall 307 news articles

(Is There) Motivation for VoIP Fuzzing
ITworld.com, MA - Sep 4, 2008
We (at PROTOS research) released our first free VoIP fuzzers in 2002, and were amazed by the success! Everyone seemed to immediately adapt them into their ...

Need Structure? Army and Navy Academy Offers Structure and ...
MarketWatch - Sep 3, 2008
If your son needs structure and the motivation to reach his full potential, the Academy offers a unique opportunity to excel in Academics, Athletics and ...

ABC News
Hillary Clinton’s New Motivation
Forbes, NY - Aug 31, 2008
Now, she will have added personal motivation. Look to see Hillary pounding the campaign trail, hoping to fend off Palin’s bid to take what she views as ...
The Gloves Are Officially Off: Palin's Speech Makes Her Fair Game Huffington Post
all 1,233 news articles

Hall to ride top form into NRL finals
Sydney Morning Herald, Australia - 5 hours ago
The Sea Eagles aren't focussing on the prospect of winning the regular season battle, their motivation is avenging last year's grand final defeat. ...
Night of shattered dreams looms in NRL Stuff.co.nz
all 8 news articles

Motivation for Buying Medivation
Wall Street Journal Blogs, NY - Sep 3, 2008
Shares of Medivation Inc. were all the rage in premarket action, gaining 32% after the company said it would partner with drug giant Pfizer Inc. to develop ...

HRZone.co.uk
Crunch time: Retaining staff through motivation
HRZone.co.uk, UK - 23 hours ago
Balance: Flexible working and work-life balance can improve motivation and productivity. Power: Let employees have their say about their career and company ...

Motivation behind A-frame decision is suspect
The Daily News of Newburyport, MA - Sep 3, 2008
I just have to wonder at the motivation behind the City Council's decision to reject the A-frame sandwich signs in downtown Newburyport. ...

Wind Chimes and more...

Windchimes for great gifts!

Facing Our Fears