Forest Whitaker Reminded Me of a Key to Success: A Burning Desire

istock_000000587470xsmall1We all know many people who “talk the talk” and a few that “walk the walk,” but what is it that the separates these two groups of people.  I have been thinking about this a lot lately.  When I left my job almost a year ago to pursue my dreams as an entrepreneur, trader, financial freedom seeker many of my friends simply didn’t get it.  The ones that had a good idea how much money I was walking away from were the most shocked.

What would possess someone to walk away from a high paying job?  What about the status?  What about the security?  What about? What about? What about? How do the “walkers” suppress the “what abouts” and pursue the trail of “what ifs?”  What if I land this deal? What if this trade takes off?

Napoleon Hill in his classic book “Think and Grow Rich” identified the characteristics of the successful.  The one that stands out the most to me and best captures why I do what I do – is having a burning desire.  A burning desire is an urge, a passion, an inner drive that is so overwhelming that if denied will make you miserable no matter how much money or prestige you may have.  The little known secret is that this desire is so all-encompassing that if embraced success is almost guaranteed.

I was reminded of this listening to Forest Whitaker’s acceptance speech at the Oscars for Best Actor.

When I was a kid, the only way that I saw movies was from the backseat of my family’s car. At the drive-in. And, it wasn’t my reality to think I would be acting in movies, so receiving this honor tonight tells me that it’s possible. It is possible for a kid from east Texas, raised in South Central L.A. in Carson, who believes in his dreams, commits himself to them with his heart, to touch them, and to have them happen.

Because when I first started acting, it was because of my desire to connect to everyone. To that thing inside each of us. That light that I believe exists in all of us. Because acting for me is about believing in that connection and it’s a connection so strong, it’s a connection so deep, that we feel it. And through our combined belief, we can create a new reality.

That thing inside each of us is desire.  We were all born with it, but very few choose to nurture and develop it.  Those who do – can create their new reality!