In his book “Think and Grow Rich,” the American author Napoleon Hill tells the story of an army that had to fight a battle on an island. The leader of this army decided to burn all the ships that had transported the soldiers to the island, which were supposed to take them back after the battle. By doing this, he made his soldiers understand that they had no other choice but to win the battle.

Unlike ordinary people who often settle for doing their best, exceptional people don’t settle for just their best; they commit to succeeding. They refuse to consider other options. This mentality is what leads to their numerous victories.

The story of Thomas Edison perfectly illustrates this mindset, as he refused to give up despite hundreds of unsuccessful attempts. Where many people would have stopped, claiming they had done their best or tried everything, Thomas Edison decided he had no other option but success. This winning mentality allowed him to face all obstacles with courage and determination.

The Apostle Paul, who authored most of the books of the New Testament, demonstrated many times and in many ways that he had no choice but to succeed in his mission as a disciple of Jesus. He once declared, “Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel.” This expression literally means that the Apostle Paul gave the right to curse him if he found excuses not to do what he was called to do.

“For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe to me if I do not preach the gospel !” 1 Corinthians 9:16

If we are inspired by the declaration of the Apostle Paul, we can also say about our projects that woe to us if we do not accomplish them. This way, we will be able to lead a victorious and successful life in every aspect.

We Must Go from Glory to Glory

God’s will is that all His children go from glory to glory, which means from progress to progress. Several biblical passages clearly show that God is against the status quo, and those who do not progress do not please Him. The first text illustrating this truth is found in the parable of the talents.

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground and hid his lord’s money. After a long time, the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. Therefore you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’” Matthew 25:14-30

This parable presents three people who all received resources. Two of these people made what they received grow, while the third did a status quo. The master, who symbolizes God the Father, rewarded the two exceptional people for their progress and punished the third for his lack of progress. Another text showing the importance of growth and progress in God’s eyes is found in the Gospel of Luke.

“He also spoke this parable: ‘A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, “Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?” But he answered and said to him, “Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.” Luke 13:6-9

In this text, Jesus shows that people who refuse to develop in order to be useful to humanity should be disqualified. This text, along with all others, shows that growth and progress are part of the elements that testify to the proper functioning of an individual. The absence of growth and progress indicates a dysfunction. We must therefore do everything to progress permanently to be good and faithful servants of God.

Once we accept to make permanent progress, we also accept to be interested in our performance and results. We will then begin to measure our progress in finances, health, relationships, spirituality, knowledge, etc. This is how we become exceptional people.

Prayer for Results

Father of Glory, I thank You for reminding me how much results matter to You. I acknowledge that I have not always given importance to results and have not always fought energetically to improve myself constantly.

Forgive me, for by refusing to focus on results, I have sometimes been like the wicked servant in the parable of the talents.

Grant me the grace to adjust and begin to do everything to progress and bear more and more fruit.

Grant me the grace to measure my progress and performance to ensure that I always go from glory to glory.

Thank You for answering my prayer,

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

This text is an excerpt from the book “THE MINDSET OF EXCEPTIONAL PEOPLE” written by Dominique MBOG.

We invite you to read the following article “God is Interested in Fruits“

Our Best. Our Best. Our Best.