Before we attempt to answer that question, let’s temper the example above with that of a less severe example.

I have a client who is encountering all kinds of difficulties in trying to remain positive as she goes through trials with her ex who can’t pay alimony or child support; she is in dire need of money to pay her bills, sustain her child, and pay for college. She has given up on men helping her and has resigned to being single the rest of her life. In addition, she keeps seeing people at work who are less talented, intelligent, and worthy getting promoted while she stays put. She has resigned herself to being dirt poor the rest of her life and says it’s all unfair. My client is not ready to take on Jeffersonian trials, but with effort she can grow in her strength to handle difficulties, her own and possibly even those of Jeffersonian proportions.

Here’s a few more quick, famous examples of those who’ve encountered difficulties to flesh out the picture a bit more: George Lucas floated in obscurity for over six years thinking his break would never come; Al Pacino spent close to a decade homeless and living in squalor before his big break: cast as Michael Corleone in The Godfather; billionaire Bill Bartman went bankrupt, lost everything and had to send his wife back to his mother before making his riches; Robert Kiyosaki and his wife had to live in their car before hitting it big; Tony Robbins lived in a small, one-room apartment with so little space he frequently cooked in the bathtub; got rich, lost it all, and got rich again; Dr. Joe Vital of The Secret fame lived in poverty in Dallas for fifteen years. And on and on the examples go.

In attempting to live, never mind achieve or achieve big (and the more you attempt to achieve the greater opportunity for failure, difficulties, and trials), we all will encounter trials that will test and try us and tug at our heartstrings until we feel that we can take no more. This is knowledge that is as common as the cold, yet few speak to it or address it with the attention it deserves. But some of our greatest thinkers have been aware of life’s great challenges, even on occasion coming forth with suggestions:

“Perfect happiness, I believe, was never intended by the Deity to be the lot of any one of his creatures in this world. The most fortunate of us frequently encounter calamities that may greatly afflict us. And to fortify our minds against the attacks of these misfortunes should be one of the principle studies and endeavors of our lives.” Thomas Jefferson

Can we ever “fortify our minds against the attacks of these misfortunes” to the point where adversity will not touch us? No, but like most things with effort there can be improvement. And to fortify ourselves against trials, discomfort, and difficulty should be one of the central efforts in our lives not only to preserve ourselves but to be a beacon in times of darkness for others whom we can encourage by our strength.

“The weakest soul, knowing its own weakness, and believing this truth that strength can only be developed by effort and practice, will, thus believing, at once begin to exert itself, and adding effort to effort, patience to patience, and strength to strength, will never cease to develop, and will at last grow divinely strong.” James Allen

“You are searching for the magic key that will unlock the door to the source of power; and yet you have the key in your own hands, and you may use it the moment you learn to control your thoughts.” Napoleon Hill

“Tempest-tossed souls, wherever ye may be, under whatsoever conditions ye may live, know this: In the ocean of life the isles of Blessedness are smiling, and the sunny shore of your ideal awaits your coming. Keep your hand firmly upon the helm of thought. In the bark of your soul reclines the commanding Master; He does but sleep; wake Him. Self-control is strength; Right Thought is mastery; Calmness is power. Say unto your heart, “Peace, be still!”

For some time I had been walking through the faculty back entrance coming up on the backs of students as they allegedly worked away at the computers. I never took much notice until one day at about 8:00 in the a.m. I noticed a student playing a computer game. Nothing unusual, but what struck me as exceptional was that eight hours later he was still there. Yes, finishing my day, heading back through the computer lab to the faculty exit, I noticed at 4 p.m. that he was still playing!

Playing or play is the optimum word here. I discoverd over a span of seven years through personal observation that the majority of students at the computer lab were not working but rather playing: MySpace, texting, emailing, comptuer games. Thus confirming to me that the majority of students are unmotivated and confused as to what to do, the main reason the majority of students have not declared a major. But unlike popular opinion, this is not a time for students to find themselves. This work should have been done years ago so that when they reach adulthood they’re ready to take off not only to go to work and build a career, but to obtain personal fulfillment and self-actualization.

I will not be getting into work ethic in this article; rather I will address an issue that goes back further in a student’s preparation. Motivation.

And motivation here is not pep talk but rather a focus on the student’s innate talents, skills, abilities, and interests.

Everyone comes to this earth with certain things that they do better than most. But unfortunately, schools don’t focus on student interests, talents, abilities, or if they do, they do it poorly.

I know of a young lady of 23 who served her church mission in Peru. My wife, from Colombia, tells me that her Spanish is very good. Interestingly enough, her Spanish teacher told her that she would never speak Spanish. Here there is certainly the motivation of doing what she loves and believes in, motivation, but on the other side of the coin is a teacher whose focus is on de-motivation.

Too many times have I heard stories by well-know business people, entertainers, politicians, and so forth who spoke of school teachers or counselors who de-motivated or advised according to personal belief as to what the student should be doing with their lives.

I’ve heard of a famous movie director who was told he’d never be one and that he should think about teaching. A wealthy business guru who was told he should be a social worker. And so on and so forth, example after example of de- or mis-motivation or advice.

What is essential, key, critical is that an informed, open minded, third party work with the student early and often inquiring into what really gets him or her interested. Certainly there may be mis-starts or mis-informed starts, but eventually the student will get it right.

Key phrase here “student will get it right.” It is not for you or for me or for anyone to dictate choice and preference to the student but encourage him / her to pull forth honestly and with some effort what it is that they love to do and will benefit from not only monetarily but emotionally and spiritually. For as one moves closer and closer to their purpose, their calling in life he / she will begin to gain in energy, insight, direction, and purpose.

As one gets closer and closer to what she or he was put here to do, her / his path will begin to unfold and things will begin to happen as if being prodded and guided by a hidden hand. Many a successful person who has taken the time and put in the work to maximize and then realize this understanding has seen positive consequence.

This includes getting moving quickly or shooting then aiming. Once one has a substantial not perfect understanding of his / her talents, desires, abilities it is essential to get moving in a positive direction. And as you move, you will not only be informed what to do-winds of insight nudging you along the proper course here and there-but as understanding of your special purpose increases so will your confidence, power, and enthusiasm for life.

Personally, some eleven years ago I was self-informed that I was to go back to school, learn to write, teach, study, and gain knowledge / experience and then build my business. As I have done so, I have certainly had stops and starts, but as I have stayed true to my vision-not being sidetracked by doubt, alleged “better opportunities,” or any distraction–I have been rewarded in the extreme.

And as I made my way, it was interesting to note that in order to achieve my goal certain things helped me that occurred fortuitously that I could never have predicted. And this is key. As the student moves along his / her self-chosen path, due to a deep understanding of self, then the fortuitous becomes the anticipated and the expected.

Time and again you hear the successful, those following “their path,” speak to the point that it was fortunate or fate’s hand that lead them here or there or certain people or events occurred when they did. This phenomenon exists, yet too many get caught up in playing it safe, playing for the money, or playing someone else’s game and not sticking to their own.

One must develop self-understanding for proper goal setting and obtainment.

Then after this has been accomplished and the student is on his / her way, she / he must work to better themselves in regards to character or address and resolve major weaknesses and shortcomings that will undermine any level of talent, ability, gift, or skill. But that issue is for another time. However, a knowing of the self-interest, abilities, talents, etc.-concludes with the overcoming of weaknesses / shortcomings. From there, we work on acquiring additional knowledge, skills, attitudes that will aid in not only enhancing income but inner-peace and fulfillment that few too many ever achieve in life. For you certainly want to be like those who love what they do so much that sleep just gets in the way.

Don’t waste time or play games with your life. Come and live with us, those who enjoy this level of satisfaction and joy, and be of the few, the proud, the fulfilled.