I recently completed the audio version of Alexander Hamilton’s biography on my way to and from work. The idea of listening to a biography on my iPOD sounds very dorky, but I’m reaching that age that I just don’t care. Hamilton was one of the most intelligent men of his time and he wasn’t afraid to apply his mental prowess at every chance he got. At one point in his career he juggled a growing law practice, a wife, four children, and wrote the bulk of the Federalist Papers - which was the most important interpretation of the United States Constitution. It helped the rest of America understand what was their leaders were trying to accomplish. His work load was overwhelming, but passionate. He felt the strains of fatigue, but he kept cranking out papers to fight for a unified America.

Hamilton believed in almost every thought, feeling and action he created. He had his doubts like the rest of us, but he pushed through his fear. He knew that everything that he was able to accomplish would set the tone for the rest of America. As I listened to the man’s voice I began to see my own life. My plans for the evening were to go home, make dinner with my wife, and watch a little TV then go to bed. I saw the wasted potential. Comparing myself to Hamilton isn’t fair and would usually make me sad and only add to my inability to use my time effectively. The author made sure that I understood how hard Hamilton worked. Life was never easy for him, but he was a non-stop enthusiast for his ideas. His expansive mind still needed to labor through his thoughts like the rest of the lawyers, politicians, and generals of his time and today. It made me look at my life as a writer, husband and marketer. I knew I could work harder, but I have been afraid to risk my comfort level. I’ve been so used to doing tasks in a certain manner that I’ve become complacent, always giving myself another day to accomplish that project.

I’ve put off finishing my novel because I didn’t like the pitfalls of such tedious projects. I’ve put off doing projects around the house because it’s easier to not risk a mistake than have to figure out a plan to fix the problem. I was going into each project with a negative attitude. I saw everything that could go wrong instead of what might go right.

Do you limit your talents because of that little voice of fear?

There is often that moment when your thoughts split off into two directions. One thought encourages the tackling of projects that will help you further your life, while the other thought tells you that it doesn’t need to get done. Recognize that fear within yourself and be willing to feel its power. When you understand its hold on you then you can understand how to overcome its grip on your emotions.
You have the ability to make yourself and the people in your life happier by applying a little awareness to your fear. If you aren’t trying accomplish everything that this universe has bestowed upon you then you’re not fulfilling your destiny.

Who do you admire?

As a young man I admired Dr. Seuss.

Theodor Seuss Geisel peddled his book “I Saw It on Mulberry Street” to 40 different publishers before he finally got it published.

Pick up a biography of someone you’ve always admired and see what difficulties they went through to make their life successful. And after you’re done you should hopefully see how you can be successful too – if you apply a little hard work like the rest of the great people of our past.

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This entry was posted on Sunday, January 6th, 2008 at 3:48 am and is filed under Motivation.