Who are you working for?

A group of rail workers were doing some repairs at a railway station when a train rolled to a stop. The president of the railroad company they worked for stepped off the train, and spotted one of the workers there. “Dave! How great to see you. Why don’t you step into my car for a bit?”

Dave joined the president in his train car, which was fitted with all the modern fixtures and amenities that any person could wish for. The car had heating and air conditioning, a TV, reclining seats and ample legroom. It was twice as large as any of the other cars on the train and the president had it all to himself.

After some time Dave emerged from the train car and his fellow workers rushed at him with questions, demanding to know how he, a mere worker, was on a first name basis with the president of the company. “Jim and I started working for this company on the same day,” Dave replied.

The two men had put in the same number of years with the company, yet one had risen to become president while the other retained pretty much the same position he had on his first day. The difference is that Dave went to work for $1.75, while Jim went to work for the railroad.

Like Jim, we have to take pride in whatever we do. If we try something half-heartedly or settle for good enough, we will never improve. No one can make you give your best effort; that is up to you. You may not like your job, but you’re never going to like it if you don’t do something to change, whether your goal is to move to a higher position or save enough money go after the job you really want.

Your child might not like math, but if he only puts in the bare minimum amount of time he should be studying or doing homework, he will never improve--and he will always hate math.

Sometimes it's hard even putting enough effort into the things we do want to do. If you are exercising to lose weight, build muscle, or just keep yourself healthy, you're never going to improve if you only do the a few reps. You've got to push yourself to your absolute limit.

If your child wants to start on the football team, but he skips practice once a week and barely pays attention when he is there, he's not going to reach that goal. He has to focus his energies in order to see results.

We all know that in life there are things we want to do, and then things we have to do. If you only focus on what has to get done without putting forth your best efforts in whatever you do, you are headed for a life of mediocrity. If you want a great life, you have to be great.

Contributed by Solomon Brenner Master Instructor Action Karate and author of Success Secrets of Black Belt  Masters" For more info call 215.355.5003