You have been working super hard and haven't gotten what you worked for or what you think you deserve. You have come in early, stayed late and put forth the effort and no one seems to care. You have decided to put others first and sacrifice yourself only to get asked, why you didn't do more. When is enough, enough? When do you get what you want? When do you get what your heart desires? When do you get what you've worked so hard for?

When you look at what you have done, ask yourself why did you do THAT? Ask yourself, What do you really care about? Ask yourself does it really matter if no one is around as you push to do something incredible/new/different. Ask yourself are you proud of the work that you've put in, even if you don't see the results.

In this world we are seeing that people are driven by emotions and are demanding that others respect them. But what are those emotions getting them? What is the exchange for their emotional tirade? Forget about the glitz and the glam, what should you be doing? What should your destination be?

When will you get the things that you want? When will you say that you have been under appreciated and overlooked and feel almost invisible, time to take that step. Take the step where you feel visible to you, where you value/worth is not defined by who does or does not acknowledge you. Take the step where you define/show your worth/value.  

I submit to you to take a different approach, look at you and your sphere of influence and decide what is working for you, what is distracting and what MATTERS to you.  If quitting your job to start a business is and has been in your heart but you have never taken the first step. If applying for the position is what you have worked for and never been given the opportunity to do, time to take that step.  If you are looking to improve the relationship of yourself and those around you, time to take that step.  Stop being afraid to fail.  You are a professional at failing. That is something that we are all very familiar with.  We know how to fail... but do we know how to be successful.  The lessons that we should learn will come from failure and being diligent about learning as much as we can about the goal that we have in our sights. Don't be afraid to take the step.

The reason why we look at "famous" people as our "standard" is not because of what they do behind closed doors its because of what they do when everyone is looking. We can't be concerned about the opinions of others, what you feel is the right thing for you, don't hurt anyone in the process, work as though your life depends on it, stop talking about what isn't going right and focus on what is. Stop looking for someone to pat you on the back, because no one may be standing there.  If you need someone to tell you that you are special, I AM HERE TO TELLING YOU RIGHT NOW, THAT YOU ARE SPECIAL!!! You are unique and the only one that God made that can do what you do.  You are the only one that has your specific gift to give to the world.  Stop hiding your gift/product/service (flame) under a rock, it's time to let it shine.  It's time to show the world the most beautiful gift, YOU!  In case no one has told you recently, You are loved and adored.  Let's take the step to change the word by spreading your gift with them.

Remember every journey starts with a single step, Let's get to stepping.

When someone asks you what your name is, what do you say?  Do you consider why they are asking? Do you wonder how they will respond? Do you think about what your name means? Do you realize that your words have power? When you take a moment to say to the person(s) asking, you are confirming/acknowledging to the world, that you are here.

Without thinking you immediately you say your first name.  You try not to mumble your name.  You try to make good eye contact.  You may push your shoulders back.  You might hold your head high.  You may even speak with confidence.  And they respond, however they respond... The way they respond is not always because of having possibly have heard that name before.  Their response is not always because it is a strange name that they have never heard.  Their response may be because of their state of mind.  In a fundamental way, they respond however, they respond.

The thing that you may want to consider is not how the person(s) asking, will respond, but how you want the world to respond when you stand tall and declare who you are here and that you have come to make a major impact.  You may want to realize that you aren't just talking to the person standing in front of you but also to those who came before you.  You are standing on the shoulders of people who have laid down their lives to make room for you, to clear a path that you are now walking down.  Say your name with confidence, not because of who you are now, but because of who you are becoming.

Let me take a moment to say my name.  I am Michael, son of Robert (father, educator, and entrepreneur) and Dorothy (mother, educator). Brother of Robert (athlete, entrepreneur). Grandson of Julius (laborer, railway worker) and Alice (laborer). Grandson of Bessie (educator, Silver Haired Legislature), etc.  It's nice to meet you and your name is?