In It to Win It

After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. - Nelson Mandela

Hello Friends,

Today the eyes of the world are focused on South Africa as we pause to celebrate the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela. For me Nelson Mandela represents grace and humility. Hail Madiba….To Nelson Mandela with love!

Please allow me to express my gratitude to the members of Lambs of Loins and Comfortably Speaking Toastmasters Clubs at Mississauga Central Library for their contribution to my Holiday Season Food Drive. I am particular grateful for the support of Odecca Ordonez, Bhunshan Rele and Neeru Ria for coordinating the collection of non-perishable items. I would like to thank Diana Alandete for organising the collection of items from Soar to Excellence at Burnhamthorpe Branch Library as well as Leaders’ Corner and Leaders in Action at the Family Services of Peel Employment Ontario in Mississauga. Monday evening I had the pleasure of visiting Leaders in Action as guest speaker where I delivered one of my signature speeches titled “I Love You!”

Today I would like to ask the question “are you in it to win it”? Typically at this time of the year we tend to be reflective while at the same time we tend to be forward looking. We reflect on the things we accomplish in 2013. As we look ahead to 2014, we will plan and set goals for the things we would like to accomplish. As you are looking ahead I encourage you to ask yourselves the question, “are you in it to win it”? If you are in to it to win it you must be competitive by nature.

I am a fiercely competitive person. Even though I never grew up playing any form of competitive sport I went to Calabar High School, one of Jamaica’s most reputable secondary educational institutions. In academics, Calabar has won the Schools' Challenge Quiz many times and has produced numerous Jamaica and Rhodes Scholars. Calabar is also a well-known as sporting institution. In track and field Calabar has won the Inter-Schools’ Athletics Championships (“Champs”) Trophy 23 times since 1930. Long before Usain Bolt was born, Calabar produced Herbert Henry "Herb" McKenley the winner of a gold medal in the 4x400 m relay at the 1952 Helsinki Summer Olympics. He was second in 100m and also second in 400m. It was at Calabar that I honed and developed my fierce competitive spirit, that is my will to win and succeed.

Are you entering 2014 with a competitive spirit and firm conviction that you can succeed?

I want to accomplish more in 2014 and I will. For example, as I mentioned in TheImportance of Contentment I have spent of 2013 putting in place plans and structures to launch a relatively new career path as a professional motivational speaker. In 2014, I solidify the foundation for a successful career as a professional motivational speaker. I will start to generate income from my Leaders Leave Legacy Workshop. I am in it to win it!

Here is how I have kept my competitive flame burning and desire to win:

Although I am contented I remain fiercely ambitious

Throughout my life I have had to struggle and work hard for what I have accomplished. I have experienced setbacks, challenges, adversities and yet I feel a sense of contentment for what I have accomplished. At the same time I still have unfulfilled dreams and goals which I will continue to work towards in 2014. My ambitions will push me to want to accomplish more or to do better in 2014.

I am possessed with many ideas

I am possessed with many ideas. I am always coming up with new ideas and dreaming about news things to do with myself and my time. My blog for example is fueling my thoughts and ideas on different things that I can do and accomplish. It is helping me to better understand social media and the Internet. I am learning how to build and manage my brand. I am learning how to be creative and innovative. I am mastering the art of creating synergies between to my different ideas so that they fit together to achieving specific goals and dreams. I am learning how to be current and competitive in the new economy that is driven by technology and globalization. Technology and globalization will provide me with the opportunity to leverage my brand globally to reach a much larger audience. In 2014 my raft of ideas and dreams will push towards trying new things and capitalize on the abundance of opportunities that will ultimately help me to accomplish more and do better.

I am not risk averse

I am not risk averse. I sincerely do not know the meaning of safety and certainty. As I noted in Ditch the Darn the Wheel of Fortune I am from a working class family background in Jamaica. The only thing I know is that through hard work and determination I can win. I do not know the meaning of safety and certainty. I am not reckless. I take calculated risks. Being an entrepreneur, I know that there are risks enormous but I also know I can score big too. For me success is based on perseverance, resilience, and tenacity. In 2014, I will continue to take calculated risk and I will continue to demonstrate attributes requires for success.

Are you in it to win it? How will you enter 2014 to ensure your continued success?

You are in it to win it. To accomplish your dreams in 2014 you must:

• Celebrate your successes of 2013 by feeling a sense of satisfaction and contentment yet remain fiercely ambitious;
• Act on the raft of ideas in your hyperactive brain; and
• Know that there are few things that are certain so be prepared to take some risks.

I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear. - Nelson Mandela

Mark McKenzie is a leading Subject Matter Expert in financial services regulation and supervision as well as a professional motivational speaker, corporate trainer and youth mentor.  He can be contacted by email mastbmckenzie@gmail.com or by telephone 647-406-4622. Read my blog  http://mastbmckenzie.blogspot.ca/ and always write me a comment and share. Follow me on Twitter @mackynacky. Connect with me on www.youtube.com, Google+, Facebook and Linkedin.