One more step isn’t too far

ONE more step is not too far or too difficult. Never let what you have achieved and where you are now at stop you from taking one more step. Keep reaching beyond the mark and challenging your limits. You can still grow and stretch. Greatness is not a destination. It is always work in progress.

Paul of Tarsus is a well-known Christian leader who helped spread the Christian faith and propagate the growth of the Churches. Towards the end of his life and illustrious career he declares: “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12-14).

If there is one this that you can do it is to keep pressing. One more step is not too much to ask.

There is one step you can take, one more initiative and one more bold move you can make. You are one step away from greatness. Face the giant on your path and dare to stand up one more time. Your victory and your greatest learning and growth is in facing your obstacles and standing up to the fight when you are hardest hit. What one step can you take today that will make all the difference?

In 1971, Mr Sydney Carter (1915 -2004) wrote the song entitled, “One more step along the world I go”. One more step along is the best you can do. Keep taking one more step. Carter’s lyrics are:

“1 One more step along the world I go, one more step along the world I go, from the old things to the new, keep me travelling along with you:

[Refrain]

And it’s from the old I travel to the new; keep me travelling along with you. 2 Round the corners of the world I turn, more and more about the world I learn; all the new things that I see you’ll be looking at along with me.

[Refrain]

3 As I travel through the bad and good, keep me travelling the way I should; where I see no way to go you’ll be telling me the way, I know.

[Refrain]

4 Give me courage when the world is rough, keep me loving though the world is tough; leap and sing in all I do, keep me travelling along with you.

[Refrain]

5 You are older than the world can be, you are younger than the life in me; ever old and ever new, keep me travelling along with you.

[Refrain]”

Keep taking one more step. Refuse to stagnate or plateau. Do not be discouraged because you cannot run — just take one more step. Do not be dismayed because you seem so behind — just take one more step. Keep moving and challenging your limitations.

One skill

One step forward in your skill level could transform your income level and life totally. Looking at your current skill and competencies, you may have done well in the past, but there is room for one more step. There is usually one skill that is stopping you from moving to a higher orbit. Look beyond the applause of the moment and stretch further.

Look beyond your certificates and past experiences and focus on delivery and results. Keep asking yourself one-morestep questions like: What is not yet perfect? What do I need to learn? What do I need to unlearn?

Master one new competence and your level of productivity will soar. Your current frustrations are alarm bells that are signalling the need for you to take one more step. To be more you have to know more, understand more and be more than your past record.

You will always plateau at the current level of output and competence until you learn something that you do not currently know. The universe of knowledge defies ultimate mastery because knowledge keeps growing and things keep changing. Yesterday’s skills are the liabilities of tomorrow. Identify the one skill you need to master now and start working on this area of your life. Be thrilled with the wonder of taking one more step and making one more distinction.

One idea

One idea can transform everything you know. One idea can feed your family for four generations. Never despise the power of a simple idea — one more idea. You are one idea away from greatness. To become great you do not necessarily need a universe of ideas, but a single idea that you act upon. Generate as many ideas as possible and you can be sure that one of them carries gold on its wings and diamonds on its beak. You are truly poor when you have now run out of ideas or the power to generate some. Dream again. One more time.

Capture your idea stream. If an idea is not captured, it flies away looking for another nest. Ideas are fragile and those that know their value never waste them. Value the experiences that stimulate ideas in you. Be inspired to dream big, at least one more time.

One person

People are the greatest resource you can find. Find the right person and your life will change forever. There is no one who can ever be

self-sufficient in every respect. We all exist in interdependent relationships. You are one person away from the next level of greatness. There is a person who when you meet catapults you to new levels and possibilities.

Pay attention and see the potential in people. Be alert and welcome that one person sent to elevate you when he comes. Recognise greatness when it comes into your space. People carry experience, knowledge, ideas and insights. Others carry the energy and charisma you need. Every person is a gift.

The one person that you need could show up at the most unlikely times and unlikely ways. One more person entering your life will inspire a new level of greatness. People inspire other people. Mark the people that inspire you, they are a key to your success.

To move to a new station of greatness a person must either leave your circle or enter your circle. Have the wisdom to know the difference. One more person matters, connect

one more time.

One book

There is one book that you pick up that changes your life, thoughts and trajectory. Some books sit by you and wait for the one moment. There is a book that when you pick up and read, you know it was written for you and for that moment. You just needed that one book.

Between you and your next level of greatness there is a book, some new knowledge, new insight or information. Keep learning and searching and when that books comes a new world dawns. Ignorance is not a badge of honour. Reluctance to read should be an embarrassing confession.

Mr Nassim Nicholas Taleb in his book, “The Black Swan”, blessed us with the concept of an anti-library. This is a collection of books that you have acquired that you have not yet read. They sit on your shelf waiting for that one special moment of wonder. An anti-library is a special part of your private library that is a vital research tool.

The goal of an anti-library is not to collect books you have read so you can proudly display them on your shelf and impress others. Its goal is for you to curate a highly personal collection of resources around themes you are curious about. Instead of a celebration of everything you know, an anti-library is a vital step forward. It is an ode to everything you want to explore and new ways you can grow. In Japanese this practice is called the

Tsundoku.

One habit

We are all creatures of habit. Some habits are empowering and others are unhinging. You create your habits and the habits then create your life and destiny. Develop good habits, they are the staircase to your greatness. You are one habit away from your new level of greatness. To take your life in a new direction form new habits.

To form a new habit, do something consistently for at least 21 days and you will have formed the habit. Your habits are either holding you hostage or moving you to new levels of possibility and greatness. Develop one more habit that will take you one step forward. One step ahead is not too much to ask. Committed to your greatness

◆ Milton Kamwendo is a leading international transformational and motivational speaker, author, and a virtual, hybrid and in-person workshop facilitator. He is a cutting-edge strategy, team-building and organisation development facilitator and consultant. His life purpose is to inspire and promote greatness. He can be reached at: mkamwendo@gmail.com and his website is: www.miltonkamwendo.com