[Hint: At 175 words per minute, which most adults can do, you’ll finish reading this article’s 500 words in less than 3 minutes. And you’ll be glad you did.]

People we celebrate for great achievements mostly started out believing alone in themselves.  We only begin to crowd around and chase after them, when they achieve fame by doing the exceptional…or “impossible”.

Many great achievers often endured rejection – and severe criticism (even mockery!) – from those closest to them. In order to keep going, some withdrew from their friends and relatives, to maintain the positive mind set they needed.

NB: This article was inspired by the quote below (which I believe applies not just to writers, but to creative people who achieve greatness in general).

It was posted by a Facebook friend – Wajeed – today, on his wall.

Sometimes an unacceptable condition from an employer caused them to go alone

Like one who wanted an employee to forget his “dream of inventing”, and accept a promotion, so as to work on “more important things“.

That, by the way, was exactly what made Henry Ford (after consulting his wife) decide to quit his job in Thomas Edison’s company, to pursue his dream of inventing a 6 cylinder engine.

Note that his decision implied losing a source of regular income, that could have supplied badly needed funds for his new venture. But Ford knew he could not afford to stay on, so he left.

In other instances, it was due to pressures from loved ones, sometimes spouses.

People s/he expected to understand, but who rolled their eyes each time s/he started talking.

They said “why don’t you do something useful” or “get a day job so you can fulfil your responsibilities!”

People who achieve greatness are typically intolerant of such distractions.

Creative persons (inventor, writer etc), know doing mundane tasks will not be the best use of their “potentials”.

They may do them – but never at the expense of their dreams!

That’s why they readily take drastic measures to eliminate distractions (including moving out, even if to live under harsh conditions), if they find it necessary.

Napoleon Hill noted that many high level achievers he studied got accused of being “callous”, by close associates, because they did the above.

He however pointed out that what critics (wrongly) called “callousness” was in fact “RUTHLESS FOCUS” which enabled those persons “super-succeed”!

In truth, always doing what “normal” people want, cannot help you achieve EXCEPTIONAL SUCCESS.

For instance, there is (or was) nothing “normal” about Michael Jordan (or Michael Jackson).

Records abound that confirm those two men persistently subjected themselves to PUNISHING rehearsals, for consecutive weeks, while others were in bed.

They gave no close associate, or loved one, any room to make them break their routines.

No wonder they always delivered seemingly superhuman performances when it mattered most!

But not every body is prepared to “do that”. This explains why VERY few people achieve at such levels.

Question: Are you prepared to “do that” – or more – to achieve phenomenal success?

Would you continue even if it means staying alone, for prolonged periods?

If your honest answer is YES, mark my words:  YOU ARE DESTINED FOR EXCEPTIONAL GREATNESS!