Making a Dent in the Universe

There’s always a price for the prize.
The only question is are you willing to pay for it?vintage adding machine

One of my long-time heroes is Leonardo da Vinci.

Born in a farmhouse as the illegitimate son of a peasant woman, Leonardo had little to no formal schooling. At the age of 14, he began his apprenticeship with Andrea del Verrocchio in Florence.

Six years later young Leonardo, now 20, qualified for membership as a master artist in Florence’s Guild of Saint Luke and established his own workshop.

However, he continued to study with his teacher for an additional five years. Even though del Verrocchio “marveled at his young student’s skill.”

The true master never stops his growth and improvement.
If it takes 10 years he invests 20. Ten thousand hours is just a warm-up.

woman working late

Leonardo is famous for polyphasic sleeping and regularly clocked around 2 hours of sleep per 24 hour period. By the way, so did Nikola Tesla.

Edison was a slacker, sleeping 3 hours in a 24 hour period.

The average individual sleeps a full 33% of their life away.
In addition, they then sleepwalk through life.
Get enough sleep but also get enough accomplished!

woman sleeping soundly

 

Da Vinci’s mantra, which I have adopted as my own, was Ostinato Rigore. Translated from Italian to English this means “stubborn relentless practice. Tenacious work.”

Leonardo was not only a prolific painter, he left countless inventions that were light-years ahead of his time. Many still influencing us today.



You see, good fortune, success, luck, and impact have a strange way of looking a lot like hard and relentless work.

The key to doing great work is to do a lot of work.

To do a lot of work you have to be willing to invest the time.

Good fortune, success, luck, achievement, and impact
have a strange way of looking a lot like hard and relentless work.
Commitment to a cause over personal comfort.

man climbing a dark staircase

I’m always amused (sometimes frustrated) when people tell me “our office closes at 5” or “I don’t work on weekends.”

Seriously?

This is a sure-fire sign that no purpose has been found.

Purpose is not a 9 to 5 job.

Purpose is 24/7.

Do you really think that Michelangelo said “well sorry it’s after 5 so I can’t paint”?

Or, “I don’t paint on the weekends. That’s my day to go to watch football”?

Michelangelo Quote

When Michelangelo was carving David he lived for two years in a small dumpy room by himself. He hardly ate, hardly slept, and he hardly ever left.

When he did sleep he slept with his clothes on, even his boots so that when he woke up he could get up; and get at his obsession.

What’s your Magnificent Obsession? The one thing you must do;
and that you have the ability to do greatly?

man standing facing backwards with instruments around

When he was painting the Sistine Chapel he invested 4 years craning his neck to the ceiling. His journals prove he was absolutely physically and mentally miserable during this time.

From his pain and suffering, he created one of the world’s greatest masterpieces.

Lose the fear of being willing to suffer for your mastery and your masterpiece.
If it doesn’t take everything you have it’s not your quest.

Look, you’re hardwired for greatness. Whether you’re consciously aware of it or not.

Are you willing to go all in and embrace effort and difficulty as a part of your journey to greatness?

Are you willing to come out of the shadows and answer the call?

It won’t be easy.

It’s not supposed to be easy.

Easy is the illusion of the masses.

Nothing great ever came easy and it never will.

Your greatness will not come easy.
If it was easy then everyone would be at the top of their brilliance.
Nothing great ever came easy and it never will.

James Arthur RayGet busy.

There’s always a price for greatness.

The price is high but the rewards are sweet.

And the journey continues…

Be a Leader. Live Your Purpose; and Take Your Power Back!

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James

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