I got my start in my father’s retail sporting goods business. When I left, I became successful driving sales and profits for five major wholesale distribution firms from the 70’s to early 90’s. Then, I decided I wanted the freedom to be in my own business and to help other businesses grow and develop their leaders.

Today, I have owned Achievement Unlimited, Inc. for over twenty-five years and I work with people every day who are on a journey to realize their dreams in business and in life.

So much of what we hear in the media emphasizes the negatives about our country. It is true that there are many areas where we can and should improve collectively. There is also a side to our country’s story that is only learned by listening to the stories of the people who live here, both those who were born here and those who have come seeking safety and opportunity.

One example of such a story I recently read in BUCKSCO.Today. It was a post written by Dan Weckerly,  Liberian Refugee, Now in Levittown, Tells a Story You Won’t Often Read in the Media. The story is about Joseph Sackor who came to Bucks County 20 years ago as a refugee.

He fled conflict in Liberia and worked hard to make a success of his life here in America. Sackor explained that the people of Bucks County were welcoming, and he now heads a non-profit to give back to his community and advocate for other refugees.

Sackor’s story caused me to reflect on my own experience working with refugees. About ten years ago my wife worked in the refugee camps of northern Thailand where the Karen people are now living due to religious persecution and genocide in their home country, Burma. I worked with my wife for a couple of weeks teaching leadership and goal setting to the leaders of the community in the refugee camps.  

I was completely in awe of how these leaders embraced the workshops. Despite (or maybe because of) their suffering, the Karen people wanted every little edge they could get to help them improve their situation. After 3 months of working in the refugee camps, many of the refugees immigrated to the United States and became successful members of society. A few have even decided to become citizens.

What these refugees demonstrated to me is a deep belief in their own potential and desire to contribute to the greater good. They also demonstrate three critical elements that all successful people have:

1. They have a positive mental attitude. An internal belief that things will be better tomorrow than yesterday even in the face of adversity.
2. They are goal-directed. They seriously work the goal-setting process and get real results. They stay focused on their goals and work relentlessly on the action steps that will take them there.
3. They are self-motivated. They know where they want to go and that provides them with the internal motivation to get there.

It can be argued that the definition of success is subjective. My mentor, Paul J. Meyer defines it as “The progressive realization of worthwhile, predetermined, personal goals”. The achievement of our goals is never quick, smooth, or easy. There are many challenges to overcome and failures to learn from along the way.  

We have the power to choose how we look at our suffering and struggle. If we remain goal-directed, we will use our challenges as motivation and our failures as stepping stones.

As a business coach and an individual who values lifelong learning and self-leadership mastery, I believe that, yes, America is still the promised land of opportunity. If you believe in your potential and desire to contribute to the greater good, you will achieve success.