Ben Carson, "THINK BIG!"

The biography of Ben Carson is very impressive, but when a person has a glimpse at some of his motivation to help others, one can understand why he is so successful--in the modern terms of being famous, well-known, a big contributor to society--but he is also successful to himself. He has dreams that are as yet unfulfilled, one being to create a scholarship program that recognizes pure talent in any field, and to give those individuals who deserve a chance of success the necessary tuition funding to help them achieve their dreams.

 

For Ben to be a high achiever, he has put a THINK BIG policy into his own life. When people ask him what made him so successful, he says, "Think big." He wants to share his THINK BIG concept with others so they can dream large and be large at life. The following THINK BIG excerpt is lifted from Chapter 22, pages 216-218 in Gifted Hands by Ben Carson.

 

THINK BIG

T = TALENT

Learn to recognize and accept your God-given talents (and we all have them). Develop those talents and use them in the career you choose. Remembering T for talent puts you far ahead of the game if you take advantage of what God gives you.

 

T also = TIME

Learn the importance of time. When you are always on time, people can depend on you. You prove your trustworthiness. Learn not to waste time, because time is money and time is effort. Time usage is also a talent. God gives some people the ability to manage them. The rest of us have to learn how. And we can!

 

H = HOPE

Dont' go around with a long face,expecting something bad to happen. Anticipate good things; watch for them.

 

H also = HONESTY

When you do anything dishonest, you must do something else dishonest to cover up, and your life becomes hopelessly complex. The same with telling lies. If you're honest, you don't have to remember what you said the last time. Speaking the truth each time makes life amazingly simple.

 

I = INSIGHT

Listen and learn from people who have already been where you want to go. Benefit from their mistakes instead of repeating them. Read good books like the Bible because they open up new world of understanding.

 

N = NICE

Be nice to people - all people If you're nice to people, they'll be nice to you. It takes much less energy to be nice than it does to be mean. Being kind, friendly, and helpful takes less energy and relieves much of the pressure.

 

K = KNOWLEDGE

Knowledge is the key to independent living, the key to all your dreams, hopes, and aspirations. If you are knowledgeable, particularly more knowledgeable than anybody else in a field, y become invaluable and write your own ticket.

 

B = BOOKS

I emphasize that active learning from reading is better than passive learning such as listening to lectures or watching television. When you read, your mind must work by taking in letters and connecting them to form words. Words make themselves into thoughts and concepts. Developing good reading habits is something like being a champion weightlifter. The champion didn't go into the gym one day and start lifting 500 pounds. He toned his muscles, beginning with lighter weights, always building up, preparing for more. It's the same thing with intellectual feats. We develop our minds by reading, by thinking, by figuring out things for ourselves.

 

I = IN-DEPTH LEARNING

Superficial learners cram for exams but know nothing two weeks later. In-depth learners find that the acquired knowledge becomes a part of them. They understand more about themselves and their world. They keep building on prior understanding by piling on new information.

 

G = GOD

Never get too big for God. Never drop God out of your life.