Introduction of Pursuing Excellence

Pursuing Excellence by Errol A Williams ISBN: 0-9532104-0-5 £15.00   INTRODUCTION Welcome! and thank you for purchasing this exciting book. Words are inadequate for me to express how honoured I am that you have decided to join me. I have spent over 16 years researching, studying, teaching and living by the principles in this book. I have spent thousands of hours studying books, tapes and videos and listening to others in and out of the classroom. During that time I spent 11 years as a director and executive chairman of several companies. I am also co-founder and executive chairman of SCHOLAR, a very successful training and consultancy organisation. The information in this book was not discovered by accident or by magic. It has been the result of revelation, inspiration intelligent advice, many mistakes, skilful action, great teaching and sincere support. Please Join Me! "I've stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still. My past is understood; my present makes sense; my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low-living, sight-walking, small planning, colourless dreams and dwarf goals. "I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy or meander at the maze of mediocrity." I will control and manage my time and my life so as to unleash my unlimited potential, because my family, friends, community and I deserve the very best. Only a fool will build a house on the sand, but a wise person will always build his/her house on a rock solid foundation. On their way to the cinema, on a cool summer's afternoon, Peter and his girlfriend Jane, observed a dumping ground. Peter looked at the foundation upon which the rubbish lay and knew that it was a very good foundation. This, he thought, was a foundation that would most certainly hold the weight of a tall and strongly built building. The sand, cement and water had been mixed properly and laid smoothly. The hole in the ground was very deep and wide. He also observed that somebody had been using the foundation for dumping several tons of rubbish. "What was that supposed to be?" Peter asked. "That was the start of something great", replied Jane, "but somehow it ended up as a dumping ground." "Are you a dumping ground for rubbish?" This story best describes many of us. We started out with confidence and our motivation was on fire. We had enthusiasm and an intense burning desire to succeed. Then all of a sudden, bang! We lose our sense of direction, fear sets in, procrastination takes over and we quit. Rather than becoming a beautiful blessing to our family, friends and the community, some of us have become a dumping ground for others. Never quit just because you come up against adversity. Treat adversity as a challenge to your ability and an aid to your goals, values and strategy. To quit is to accept defeat, but remember my friend, you were not delivered into this world for defeat. You are God's number one creation. Shake yourself from the dust, believe in yourself and as one SCHOLAR delegate said, "shine a light from your highest dreams". It has been reported that 90% of failures are quitters, you do not have to be one of them. To unleash your unlimited potential you must first build a solid foundation from which to work. Your solid foundation represents your "Goals and Values". Please turn to chapter 12 to establish your foundation. With this basic principle, learning will be easy, fun and everlasting. Some of the things that I will ask you to do may seem ridiculous and stupid to you: I am asking you to take off your judge's robe, keep an open mind and do as I ask. Back to Basics What does a premier football team do before the football season starts? Is it true that Steve Davis and other snooker champions only start to play when the tournament begins? Do you think that the Wimbledon tennis champions only take up their tennis rackets at the start of the tournament? Is this the same with other champions? Not so my friends. To become a champion at anything, you have to work on the basics. The basics are practice, practice and practice until you have perfected the art. So please, do as I ask. Some champions spend on average up to eight hours or more each day in training, working on the basics before stepping onto the big stage. So must you if you want to be a champion. I have spent up to eight hours every day for over 13 years working behind the scenes, where no one can see me. What am I doing? I am perfecting my chosen field, my passion. I am working on the basics. I awake early in the mornings, turn off the television and sacrifice an unlimited amount of things. When others are having fun and attending parties, I am working on the basics and building upon my solid foundation. To become a champion at what you do there is a great price to pay. "But remember, the rewards will come to you in good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over." "For the seed that you sow you will most certainly reap." Warning Are you sitting comfortably? Before you read each chapter please refrain from eating heavy greasy food. Eat at least two hours before, allowing the food ample time to digest. You can eat plenty of fruit and vegetables at any time you like, even while reading, because it is easier to digest. Foods that are not properly digested may rob you of the ability to concentrate at your maximum potential. Do not drink any form of alcohol or take unnecessary drugs, because it will cause the brain to become tired and clouded. If your thinking and concentration are impaired, it will cause you to forget what you have studied and waste your precious time. Time is money, invest it wisely. HOW DO WE LEARN? It is vitally important to realise that you have a divine right and a natural ability to learn. Once you have found out how you learn best, your learning will be accelerated. At this point I would like you to write down all the different ways that you learn. During the many years of asking this question, I have observed the following: n We learn best by taking active part in what we are doing. You learn to play the flute by playing the flute. You learn to swim by swimming in the water. n We learn best if the lessons being taught have a direct relevance to our needs and aspirations, both short or long term. n Learning is best when the environment is conducive to learning, i.e. good lighting, good flow of oxygen, sufficient and effective resources. n Learning is best when the learner is relaxed, comfortable and not tired. n We learn by listening, reading, questioning, thinking, touching, tasting and seeing. n We learn best when we are not under any threats. As a child I was constantly under threat to learn. This threat had a drastic effect on my early years, causing me to resist learning until I was 22 years old. n Learning is best when the learner has an open mind to new information and a willingness to change. n Learning is best when the learner takes 100% responsibility for his/her learning. When the learner is in charge of his/her own learning, they cannot blame others. "If it is to be, it is up to the learner." Consider the above points with your own notes to see how you learn best. Once you have done this, begin straight away to put them into practice. The amazing thing about this book is that you will be able to put into practice what you have learnt straight away. You do not have to wait until tomorrow. Do it now! Let me share with you ten unbeatable reasons why you cannot afford not to read this book. 1. Forty-seven of the most powerful and easiest memory aids for your life. 2. Tips, advice and strategies that save time and money for you, your family and your organisation. 3. Hours of exciting reading and learning. 4. Hundreds of motivational and confidence-building thoughts. 5. A multi-million pound experience and an incredible and reliable role model. 6. Concise, comprehensive, easy reading, practical learning and a user-friendly approach. 7. Powerful information to help you take total control over your financial, mental and emotional destiny. 8. This book will keep you committed and enthusiastic and help you to overcome the fear that produces torment and failure. 9. You will develop many skills to overcome any challenge. 10. You will never be the same again after reading this book. What excuse will you give for not reading this book? n I would if I were not so busy? n I do not have the time? n I cannot make it to the end of this book? n I do not believe this book is for me? n I am doing ok and I do not need any more help? You need a trustworthy book. One that does not gather dust but causes you to think as you should. One that will move you in the right direction, at the right time, at the right speed. Today there is an outpouring of negative influences, designed to steal your time, kill your desire and destroy your life. Therefore, this book has importance for you and for those whom you will affect, your family, friends and colleagues. Because you have begun this book, I am convinced that you are interested in Pursuing Excellence. I will share my personal experience and that of some of the masters who have assisted me. I pray that you will become the best you can be, every moment, every second, every minute, every hour of every day. You deserve the best. You possess an untapped and unlimited potential, that is waiting to enrich your life in a way that you have never experienced before. "If you think you are beaten, you are; If you think you dare not, you won't; If you'd like to win, but you think you can't, it's almost certain you won't; If you think you'll lose, you've lost, for out in the world you'll find success begins with a fellow's will; It's all in the state of mind." "If you think you are outclassed, you are; You've got to think high to rise; You've got to be sure of yourself before you can ever win the prize. Life's battle doesn't always go to the stronger or faster person; But sooner or later the person who wins is the person who thinks they can." "Think big, and your deeds will grow; Think small and you'll fall behind; Think that you can; and you will; It's all in the state of mind." Author unknown Many of us are where we are today, because of the thoughts that we have entertained in our mind. Therefore I urge you to go on to the very end, you have much to gain. You will gain it from this book. ©