By Three-time Olympian Ruben Gonzalez

Average people expect their dreams and goals to fall on their lap. They are not willing to inconvenience themselves for their dreams. They refuse to do anything outside their comfort zone to reach their dreams. They don’t stand for anything, they don’t commit to anything and they just drift through life. That’s why they are average. Because they are not willing to do what successful people are willing to do. Consequently, they don’t live life, they merely exist. They just take up space.

In order to succeed in life, you have to be willing to inconvenience yourself in a big way. You have to be willing to commit to yourself and to your dream. You have to be willing to face your fears and do some things that are very uncomfortable. You have to be willing to do the things average people are not willing to do. You see, success is not about aptitude. It’s about attitude. It’s about having the attitude that you are willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done.

General William Westmoreland was once reviewing a platoon of paratroopers in Vietnam. As he went down the line, he asked each of them a question: "How do you like jumping, son?" "Love it, sir!" was the first answer. "How do you like jumping?" he asked the next. "The greatest experience in my life, sir!" exclaimed the paratrooper. "How do you like jumping?" he asked the third. "I hate it, sir," he replied. "Then why do you do it?" asked Westmoreland. "Because I want to be around guys who love to jump."

Yeah! That guy had the right attitude!

One day, I was talking with Rudy Ruettiger, the inspiration behind the movie, “Rudy,” and I mentioned that I didn’t like the luge. I told Rudy that I competed in the luge because it was my vehicle to the Olympics. Rudy got a kick out of that. Then, he told me; “I never liked football. My dream was to be part of the Notre Dame Tradition and I saw football as a way to do that!”

Sometimes you have to do things you don’t like to do in order to get where you want to go. The paratrooper was willing to jump out of airplanes so he could hang around people who loved to jump. I was willing to hurl myself down the ice in order to compete in the Olympics. Rudy was willing to get beat up in the football field in order to get to be a part of the Notre Dame tradition.

How about you? Is there something that’s been holding you back from your dream? Something that’s been keeping you from taking action? Don’t let anything keep you from your dream. I guarantee you that the feeling you experience once you realize your dreams and aspirations will make the price you paid feel worthwhile.

The price of success is big but the price of regret that comes from not pursuing your dream is a hundred times bigger.

Make a decision that you will do whatever it takes to realize your goals and dreams and make your life an adventure.

Ruben Gonzalez is an award-winning keynote speaker and the author of the critically acclaimed book, “The Courage to Succeed.” His experiences as a three-time Olympian and as the owner of two businesses give him a unique perspective on how to conquer the corporate struggles of today. For his free 10-Part Success e-Course, visit www.StartWinningMore.com or contact him at 832-689-8282.