How to Make an Impact in Your World

I was watching Nik Wallenda make history by working across the Grand Canyon on a tight rope. I was surprised he wore just a tee shirt and jeans and not some aerodynamic apparel. I thought Nik was crazy because he had no safety nets under him incase something happened. The weather condition could have been better but he was determined to walk the tight rope. I couldn't have taken that risk for a million dollars. I was pondering what could have made him risk everything including the ones he loved the most (family). I realized that like Nik, if anyone of us wants to make an impact in our world, we need to have the following boxes ticked.

1. Follow your passion - Nik knew he always wanted to be a tight rope professional since he was two years old. He came from a family of tight rope walkers and that gave him a head start.  
2. Invest in your passion by starting small and early -  Nik didn't start  tight rope climbing working  across the Grand Canyon, he grew into that after streams of other successes. Similarly, it is never to early to invest in your passion if you have discovered what you want to do.  Nik said he started training for his passion since he was two. Michael Jackson started practicing for show biz at Five, Tiger woods was introduced to golf before he was Two years-old, Gabby Douglas went off to a gymnastics school at eight years of age
3. Take risks - It is easier to take risks if its for something you love to do. I am sure you have heard about people who have been beaten by sharks while surfing and end up going back to surf when they have recovered. Those who achieve greatness do not have a plan B. They give it everything they have got. Steve Jobs sold what he had to start the Apple. When you love what you do, you will live your dreams. 
4. Achievement- Your passion, investment and love for what you do will give you confidence and make you achieve greater
5. Focus - Nik could not afford to be distracted while on that rope. He focused on his focus and later became the focus. If you are going to make an impact, you have to ignore the noise and distractions around you. Distractions can come in the form of chasing too many good ideas at the same time. Focus on one and the success of that will birth others.
6. Conceive - Nik had seen himself walk that rope in his mind several times. The actual day was just a dress rehearsal of what he had achieved in his mind. Your mental picture will determine your actual future
7. Believe - If you think you can, you are right. If you think you can't, you are also right. To make an impact in your world, you must believe in yourself and your abilities or else, no one will.