Beyond Talent

 

Scouts and Scouters learn to have a belief in themselves to succeed. People are often limited because they think they need talent to succeed. Talent is nice, and you can use your abilities (everyone has them) in your particular area of achievement, but that is not all it takes. You have to be a person of action, and action does not take talent.

Dr. John C. Maxwell, in his 2007 book, Talent Is Not Enough, said, “The first and greatest obstacle to success for most people is their belief in themselves. Once people figure out where their sweet spot is (the area where they are most gifted), what often hinders them isn’t a lack of talent. It’s a lack of trust in themselves, which is a self-imposed limitation.” When you see yourself as limited, you stop trying. You stop taking action, and without action, nothing will get done.

“Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.”

Dale Carnegie

1888-1955

Author

 

We have been looking at the Scout Law. A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent; none of these qualities take talent. These are things every Scout and Scouter choose to be. The same is correct with action. You do not need talent to be a person of action; you only need to get things done.

Scouts are determined to live their dreams. Sadly, they often know what they want but find a dozen reasons why they cannot have it. They see limitations all around them. There is not enough money, education, experience, knowledge, support, too old, too young, too sick, too weak, and the reasons go on and on. The only thing you need is the desire for your dream and the guts to go for it.

Scouts must understand that to live their dream is a privilege that most people miss. You have the chance to be all you were created to be, to have all you ever wanted, and to live life and not just fill a space. John Irving said, “If you are lucky enough to find a way of life you love, you have to find the courage to live it.”

No one is going to do this for you. You have to have to courage to move forward and do what must be done to achieve your dream. You know what it is, you know what you must do, you understand the cost. Now go for it.

Scouting Out of Uniform is a personal blog based on the lessons learned from Scouting that relate to personal development and success principles and is not an official site of The Boy Scouts of America. John Patrick Hickey does not represent or speak for the Scouting program; however, he does completely support and encourages Scouting for both young and old. John Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker, Personal Development Coach, and proud Scouter. To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business, or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com.   © 2020 John Patrick Hickey

SOU 061020 You Can Fix It

Risky Business

 

For many people, the biggest obstacle they face to pursuing their dreams is found in two little words – “What If!” The “What If’s” of life has defeated far too many people before they even get started. “What if I fail?” “What if something happens?” “What if no one likes what I am doing?” You can “What if” yourself into failure every time. 

It takes courage to go after your dream—the courage to face the unknown. Courage to take risks. Courage to be willing to fail on your way to success. As Walt Disney said, “All our dreams can come true if we dare to pursue them.” 

“No man is worth his salt who is not ready at all times to risk his well-being,

to risk his body, to risk his life, in a great cause.”

Theodore Roosevelt

1858-1919

26^th U.S. President

 

Scouts learn that you can plan for the future, but you cannot see it. No one knows what tomorrow will bring. This is why you need to be prepared for tomorrow. Being prepared is to be ready so that nothing will catch you by surprise. If you are looking to have some assurance of success or outcome, you will never move forward. Earl Nightingale had it right when he said, “All you need is the plan, the road map, and the courage to press on to your destination.”

As a Scouter, you realize that there is a risk in all you do. God, in His wisdom, has not given you the ability to see all the pitfalls and roadblocks ahead. Many of us want to see them, but the truth is, if we knew what was coming, we would never try to achieve our dreams. To believe in your vision, you must have a faith that God will see you through, and a determination that you will never give up is what gives you the power to achieve. Too much knowledge of the future is a dangerous thing. That is why we are told in Scripture not to look into the future. Taking the unknown risk is the element of life.

Study the lives of those who have succeeded, and you will find men and women who were courageous enough to take risks. Singer/Songwriter Dolly Parton said, “You’ll never be a whole lot unless you’re brave enough to try.” The Scouters of the world know as did Helen Keller that life is “a daring adventure,” and they will not miss a moment of it.

Scouting Out of Uniform is a personal blog based on the lessons learned from Scouting that relate to personal development and success principles and is not an official site of The Boy Scouts of America. John Patrick Hickey does not represent or speak for the Scouting program; however, he does completely support and encourages Scouting for both young and old. John Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker, Personal Development Coach, and proud Scouter. To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business, or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com.   © 2020 John Patrick Hickey

SOU 060820 A Good Reciever

The "No" Compromise

 

Compromise is one of those words that have been high-jacked and had its meaning changed. We are taught and told that to compromise is a good thing. It means you are reasonable and thoughtful. People who do not compromise are viewed as rigid and nasty people who are greedy and selfish. When you are deciding on what to have for dinner, compromise can be a good thing. When you are looking at morals and what is right, compromise is always wrong and should have no place in the life of the Scouter.

It is interesting that when it comes to moral and ethical issues, those who believe in compromise will try to make people feel guilty and selfish. What they are saying is that to compromise is to agree with them. They do not give in to what is right. Scouts learn that you cannot compromise morals and ethics. You are either doing what is right or doing what is wrong; no middle ground is there. Pastor Jonathan Farwell of Thomas Roads Baptist Church put it right when he said, “It is so important that our churches, our Christian schools and we, as individuals, do not allow non-Christian influences to influence our beliefs.”

“Have the courage to say no. Have the courage to face the truth. Do the right thing because it is right. These are the magic keys to living your life with integrity.”

W. Clement Stone

1902-2002

Businessman

 

Here is a problem I have had with many Scouters who are Christians. Too often, we do not stand fully by our faith because we do not wish to offend anyone. I also do not want to be offensive, but I cannot say that any religious belief is okay. I know that there is only one way to God, and that is through Jesus Christ. Not my idea but God’s. I believe that all Scouters need to make that clear when confronted with questions of faith. In the words of A.W. Tozer, “We are not diplomats but prophets, and our message is not a compromise but an ultimatum.” Hard words, but the truth sometimes is. That is why it takes courage to face it.

Never fall for the argument of compromise. You cannot compromise on truth. It stands as it is, or it is not the truth. Standing for what is moral, ethical, and spiritually truthful is not easy. However, for the Scout, there is no other way. You cannot compromise on this one.

Scouting Out of Uniform is a personal blog based on the lessons learned from Scouting that relate to personal development and success principles and is not an official site of The Boy Scouts of America. John Patrick Hickey does not represent or speak for the Scouting program; however, he does completely support and encourages Scouting for both young and old. John Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker, Personal Development Coach, and proud Scouter. To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business, or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com.   © 2020 John Patrick Hickey

SOU 060320 Make Your Map

Standing for Right

 

Who would have thought that we would come to the day that “what is right” would be open to debate? I have seen people in business, the church, education, and even Scouting; they cut the corners of truth and honor to get what they want. Not because what they want is wrong or harmful in any way, but because it is easy and comfortable has become more desired than truth. Oh, they can justify it in a hundred ways, but it is still wrong. As French philosopher Albert Camus said, “Those who lack courage will always find a philosophy to justify it.”

Scouts and Scouters need to understand that standing for what is right is never a matter of perspective. Right is right. Truth, justice, honor, and duty are always the right thing to do. We do not bend things or hide from the truth. Is this easy? No, it is not. Do we all fall short at times? Yes, I am sorry to say we all do. However, the fact that we may fail at times does not mean it is okay. Ronald Reagan once said, “There are no easy answers, but there are simple answers. We must have the courage to do what we know is morally right.”

“I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have. I must stand with anybody that stand right, and stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong.”

Abraham Lincoln

1809-1865

16^th President of the U.S.

 

Scouts should know that to do what they know is morally right will not always be popular, even among those who know to do right. It takes courage to stand alone, and in the effort to do what is right, we all must, at some time, stand-alone. Scouts believe as Andrew Jackson did when he said, “One man with courage is a majority.” You are never alone when you stand for the right. One person can change events by standing their ground and doing what they know is right.

It is easy to stand against significant wrongs in the world. Corporate dishonesty, crime, sexual immorality, and harming others are all easily seen and opposed by those who are courageous and honorable. However, it is the small things that get us. Turning our eyes away from wrong because “it is none of our business,” lying to cover a wrong you have done, and taking things that are not yours just because you can. It takes a courageous person to know that just because “everyone seems to do it,” you cannot. You are a Scout, and cheating and lying do not become you.

Scouting Out of Uniform is a personal blog based on the lessons learned from Scouting that relate to personal development and success principles and is not an official site of The Boy Scouts of America. John Patrick Hickey does not represent or speak for the Scouting program; however, he does completely support and encourages Scouting for both young and old. John Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker, Personal Development Coach, and proud Scouter. To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business, or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com.   © 2020 John Patrick Hickey