Everywhere I look I find people rushing to get to the top of their field. Somehow they think that being number one is the secret of fulfillment so they must get there as soon as possible. If you are one of these people in a hurry to reach the top of the ladder, I suggest you seriously consider these questions:

1. What's your hurry?
2. What are you going to do after you reach the top?
3. How do you intend to maintain your success?

The sad part of watching the Olympics has been observing 19 year old kids who've already passed their "prime" in events they excelled in just two years ago. In some sports a 25 year old is put out to pasture. Unless someone explains that there is more to life than achievement or position (no matter how great), these kids are in for a depressing remainder of their lives. Ask Michael Jordan if being #1 in basketball was as satisfying as he expected it to be. After reaching the top he had to change careers to find a new challenge for the rest of his life.

In the entertainment field, nothing is more pathetic that a "has-been" actor or singer still trying to live off the one hit he had back in '64. Aspiring celebrities push to get their picture on the cover of TIME forgetting that once you've been on the cover - that's it! Next week our attention will be turned to someone else. Popularity and notoriety are unworthy life goals because they fade so quickly. Can you name last year's entertainer of the year?

In contrast to the overnight star consider the career of actor Robert Duvall, now in his sixties. In a recent interview he admitted, "I'm glad I didn't get all the attention in my early years. I'm now being noticed as I do my best, most mature work." That's wisdom, folks.

No person, no business, and no product can hold the number one position indefinitely. So why not pace your career to peak as you end it, rather than as soon as possible? Go out with a bang, not a whimper. There are many benefits to intentionally pacing your career development:

1. Your best days will always be ahead of you. You always have something to look forward to rather than spending your last years reminiscing about "the good ol' days."
2. You won't burn-out emotionally.
3. You have the time to insure that your personal growth doesn't lag behind your professional growth. Many people suffer from what I call the Polaroid syndrome - they are overexposed and underdeveloped.

When God gave Joshua the goal of capturing the Promised Land, he basically said this: "I'm not going to give you the land all at once. Instead, you'll capture it little by little. That way you can handle success." (Deut. 7:22) So PACE YOURSELF! Life is a marathon, not a 50 yard sprint. The goal of life is not to finish first - but to finish well.

Until next week...
FOL#63