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Secrets to Success
Deborah Cole Micek
and John-Paul Micek
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Freedom: What does it mean to you?
Freedom: What does it mean to you? Your answer can mean the difference between success, failure or the hellish purgatory of mediocrity that lies between.
For me, as I look out at our turquoise-blue ocean, preparing to head down to the beach with my partner, Deborah, and our dogs, answering that question is simple -- at least when it comes to the freedom on which America was founded.
It means being free of excessive government control as much as it is the freedom provided by our Constitution.
It's the ability to live life, under liberty, and for the pursuit of happiness -- something that as an active entrepreneur since age 12, I'm passionate about.
America is the greatest country on earth. Just think about how many souls around the world for the last 232 years have fought, dreamed, prayed and given up everything to one day have the privilege of enjoying the same basic freedoms afforded to us. Likewise, ponder how many men and women have fought and died to protect our freedom.
There is unlimited opportunity here in the United States, no matter what the mainstream media and political demagogues try to feed us in hypnotic sound bites.
But, therein lies the danger of today. This country is only as great as the dreams of its people -- not its politicians.
Instead of looking to the government and politicians to "save" us and "change" our lives, we need to step up and realize that the power to do all that and more is in our own hands. Giving away that self-sufficient, confidence-building, success-generating power is the most grievous mistake you can make.
Even in the business world, which I did not want to concentrate on, this being our July 4th celebration of freedom, the new media we have come to love and depend on is a freedom that can be lost if we become complacent.
Our Founding Fathers knew that freedom from excessive government control and freedom afforded by our Constitution were the freedoms that count most -- so much so that they fought the most powerful empire on earth at the time and won. They then established a governmental system that the world has never seen before.
What are you doing with the freedoms afforded you? For yourself? For your family? For those people whose lives you're called to impact in a positive way? We need more people who are willing to inspire others to follow their dreams, to reach for the stars instead of reaching for government or any politician to hand out what they feel you deserve.
What does freedom mean to you? What are you proud of creating through that freedom? How are you going to use the gift of freedom to better your own life and the lives of everyone you touch?
John-Paul Micek is the lead business coach at RPM Success Group Inc. Reach him at
JPM@RPMsuccess.com or toll-free at (888) 334-8151.
Deborah Cole Micek, chief executive officer of RPM Success Group, is a business success coach and life strategist. Reach her at
DCM@RPMsuccess.com or toll-free at (888) 334-8151.