TWENTY YEARS LATER

by Richard Quek

In 1953 Yale University did a research on its
graduating seniors. The graduates interviewed were
asked if they had a clear, specific set of goals
written down with a plan for achieving those goals.
Only 3 percent had their goals written down. Twenty
years later, in 1973, these surviving graduates were
tracked down and interviewed again. It was discovered
that the 3 percent with specific written down
goals were worth more financially as compared to the 97
percent put together. They were also more successful in
other areas of their lives.


SUCCESS PRINCIPLES

The above story clearly demonstrates the importance of
having specific written down goals. The goals must be
specific in terms of what you desire, the precise date
you desire to achieve it, and what you are willing to
give in return for the goals. It must be written down
and read every single day. If you write down something
that you may not believe at the moment but if you read
it long enough, you will start to believe and act upon
it.

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE

"We either make ourselves happy or miserable. The
amount of work is the same."

THE FASTEST WOMAN ON EARTH

by Richard Quek

Wilma Rudolph was born into poverty in the state of
Tennessee. When she was four years old she had double
pneumonia with scarlet fever, which left her paralyzed
with polio. She had to wear braces and the doctor said
that she would not be able to walk normally again. Her
mother encouraged her and said that she could do
anything she wanted if she only believed. Wilma said,
“I want to be the fastest woman on this earth.” At the
age of nine, against the advice of the doctors, she
removed the braces and took her first step. At the age
of thirteen, she took part in her first race and came
way, way last. She entered various other races and came
way, way last until one day, she came in first. At the
age of fifteen she went to Tennessee State University
where she met a coach. She told him that she wanted to
become the fastest woman on the track, on this earth.
The coach replied, “With your spirit nobody can stop
you.” In the 1960 Olympics Wilma Rudolph, the paralytic
girl, became the fastest woman on this earth by winning
three gold medals - in the 100 meter race, 200 meter
race, and 400 meter relay.


SUCCESS PRINCIPLES

Who would have believed that a paralytic girl could
have won three gold medals in the Olympics? Wilma
Rudolph did not see herself, as a cripple, but she saw
herself as a winner. She took control of her destiny
and went after her dream with a vengeance. Along the
way she had to overcome challenges and discouragements
but it was worthwhile when she collected her three gold
medals. If a crippled person like Wilma can make it
big, what more can we do with a perfect physical body.

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE

"The past cannot be regained, although we can learn
from it; the future is not yet ours even though we must
plan for it. Time is now. We have only today."

THE IRON HORSE

by Richard Quek

An old couple made their way down the mountain to
witness the “iron horse”. As they approached the
railway station their hearts began to pound faster and
faster since this was the first time they were going to
witness a train – the iron horse. Both of them were
amazed at the size of the iron horse. They looked at
each other and “Ma” asked “Pa”, “What do you think?”
“Pa” said, “It will never get moving”. Just then the
whistle blew and the train started moving slowly and
then gathering speed. After a while the train began to
gain more speed and disappeared around the sharp
corner. “Ma” asked “Pa” again, “What do you think?”
“Pa” was still recovering from his shock, and he
replied, “I don’t think that it will ever stop”.


SUCCESS PRINCIPLES

Momentum is one of the ingredients for success. Success
is a matter of starting to take action and maintaining
the momentum. Just like a kid learning to ride a
bicycle. As long as the bicycle is moving the kid will
not fall off the bicycle. The moment he stops cycling,
the kid will fall off the bicycle. When you set your
goal, never lose momentum by being distracted or
discouraged by others or circumstances.

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE

"Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of
others. If you have that awareness, you have good
manners, no matter what fork you use."

BREAKING THE BARRIERS

by Richard Quek

This is the story of the four-minute mile. For thousand
of years, people held the belief that it was impossible
for a human being to run the mile in less than four
minutes. In ancient Egypt it was said that they
released lions to chase after slaves in order to break
the four-minute mile. These attempts too proved to be
futile. The best time ever recorded was 4:06, and there
was no way the barrier would be broken. Scientists,
doctors and experts declared that there was no way, a
man could run a mile under four minutes. They said that
if any person should try, “His heart will jump right
out of his body”. This negative belief continued until
a man by the name of Roger Bannister decided not to
believe in the experts, and others. Roger Bannister
believed in himself. He went through a systematic
training program and in 1954 he ran the mile in less
than four minutes. Thus the barrier was finally broken,
and within one year later, 37 other runners also broke
it.


SUCCESS PRINCIPLES

Roger Bannister, chose not to believe in others, but to
believe in himself. He had to change his own belief
about the possibility of the four-minute mile. He got
into shape physically and mentally. He actually
visualized himself breaking the four-minute barrier,
since no one had ever done it before. The greatest
aspect of his breakthrough was what it did for others.
If Roger Bannister can do it, so can we!

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE

"Don't spend your precious time asking 'Why isn't the
world a better place?' It will only be time wasted. The
question to ask is 'How can I make it better?' To that
there is an answer."