Why the Road to Greatness is Narrow

Unconventional Work Habits, Business Ethics, and Career Building – Part 6

For most, there’s a comfort in knowing you’re headed down a path others have already taken.  However, just because something is normal, does that really justify us accepting it?  Let me give you a couple of examples:
My friends drink, so it’s okay for me to drink.
Everyone on campus does it, so I must do it.
Most of my family members deal with high-blood pressure, so this is something I’ll just have to deal with.
I’m going to college because that’s what everyone else did.

Here’s a quote that gave me such profound advice:
“[W]ide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction [a common life], and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to [an uncommon] life, and only a few find it.” – Jesus

There’s a wide gate and a broad road that leads to an unwanted outcome.  The outcome that everyone else, most people have…better known as the easy route.  It’s the path that every normal person travels.  The “normal” travel this path because it takes very little effort and everyone else is doing it.

“But.” You have to love this word.  It says, stop and think about what was just said and take an eraser to it. But, there is a small gate and a narrow road that leads to the desired outcome.  I call this the uncommon life that everyone desires, but few ever achieve.  Truth be told, you more than likely have no desire to be like everyone, maybe even no one, in your circle.  I would bet you want a whole lot more than that.  You really want what few have but settle for what many have-normal.

To gain this uncommon life or just to get on the path to having an uncommon lifestyle, it will take some effort.  First the gate is small, you’ll have to figure out how to get your “big” self through such a small gate. (I think I went left without preparing you).  The gate represents the doorway to your dreams and ambitions that you are not attaining by being normal.

To get your “big” self through the small gate will require you to get rid of some of your negative attitude.
To get your “big” self through the small gate, you’ll need to cut back, diet, fast and even pray.
To get your “big” ego through the small gate, you’ll need to learn how to humble yourself and start learning from others.
To get your “big” debt through the small gate, you’ll need to develop some new habits in spending and managing your finances.
To get your “big” emotions through the small gate, you’ll need to loose the selfishness that created the extra emotions in the first place.

Secondly, even if you make it through the small gate, which is the first step, the road is narrow and difficult to travel.  This is why I laugh at ordinary people who say they want to do some extra-ordinary things.  The road isn’t easy.  If it were, everyone else would be doing it.  The road isn’t paved.  There may be obstacle and debris in the way.  It’s traveled infrequently if at all.  Are you up for it?  This post and the message of no-longer-common are for those who are ready to get through the small gate and travel the narrow path.  It’s for those who want to go where very few go…  (I’m finally about to go to the right).

It’s for those who want to reach millions for Christ.
It’s for those who want to not only change a school, but  school systems.
It’s for those who want to build corporations.
It’s for those who desire to have a marriage that doesn’t end in divorce.
It’s for those who want families that stick together through good and bad times.
It’s for those who have an invention and want to see their invention become a really.
It’s for those who have a book inside of them and want to see it published.
It’s for that person who is weird enough to lay hands on that person diagnosed with a disease and dare to believe they’re healed.
It’s for the computer programmer who has the next big thing that’ll change this world.
It’s for those who want to become like no one else.

You’re obviously reading this because the people I’m referring to above is you.  Over the last few weeks, I’ve begun to take the breaks off my writing because I see too much at stake for you.  It’s time for us to get busy.  If this message resonates in your heart, forward to your closest friend and let them know your “wildest” plans and copy me.  It’s time, your time.