“We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort.”

~Jesse Owens

In your journal, write about your dreams. What do you want to do with your life that you aren’t already doing? What would you like to achieve? Where would you like to go? Now, write about how you are going about making that happen. Are you determined & dedicated? Are you making a daily effort to reach for your dreams and beyond?

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“Have confidence that if you have done a little thing well, you can do a bigger thing well too.”

~David Storey

In your journal, write about a few little things that you have done well. How did those build your confidence to move on to bigger things?

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“We must combine the toughness of the serpent with the softness of the dove, a tough mind and a tender heart.”

~Martin Luther King, Jr.

In your journal, write about your own toughness. Is it something that has developed over the years? Looking back, do you believe that certain events in your life have contributed to your toughness? Has it overflowed from your mind to you heart, or do you still have a tender heart?

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“People can achieve meaning in their lives only if they have made commitments beyond the self — religious commitments, commitments to loved ones, to one’s fellow humans, to excellence, to some conception of an ethical order — you give life meaning through your commitments.”

~ John W. Gardner

What do you think? In your journal, write your initial reaction to John W. Gardner’s thoughts on commitment, above. Do you believe that your life is given meaning through your commitments?

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“If we put the emphasis upon the right things, if we live the life that is worth while and then fail, we will survive all disasters, we will out-live all misfortune. We should be so well balanced and symmetrical, that nothing which could ever happen could throw us off our center, so that no matter what misfortune should overtake us, there would still be a whole magnificent man or woman left after being stripped of everything else.”

~Orison Sweet Marden

In your journal, write about where the emphasis of your life is. Are you putting emphasis in your daily life on being well balanced and symmetrical, or is your intention on living a well balanced & symmetrial life, but, that intention somehow gets lost in the shuffle as soon as your day begins?

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“There are certain things that are fundamental to human fulfillment. The essence of these needs is captured in the phrase ‘to live, to love, to learn, to leave a legacy’. The need to live is our physical need for such things as food, clothing, shelter, economical well-being, health. The need to love is our social need to relate to other people, to belong, to love and to be loved. The need to learn is our mental need to develop and to grow. And the need to leave a legacy is our spiritual need to have a sense of meaning, purpose, personal congruence, and contribution”

~Stephen R. Covey

In your journal, write about your definition of fulfillment. Is it the same as Covey’s definition? Is it different? Do you prioritize your day around these needs? If so, how do you do it? If not, why not?

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“I hated every minute of training, but I said, don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life a champion.”

~Muhammad Ali

What are you training for? Think beyond the box - further than training your body, or training for an athletic competition. Are you training yourself to control your temper? Are you training yourself to think before you act? Are you training yourself to act without hesitation?

What are you training for? Write about it in your journal.

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