513. Never Quit When Things Get Tough
Jake Ballentine
By the end of his first college semester, Jake was already on academic suspension. He was tempted to say, “I didn’t really care about college anyway!” Self-consciousness about his dyslexia, he believed he was only good at sports and music. Then, on a mission to the Pacific Northwest, his outlook brightened, and he said to himself, “Hey, I can really DO this!” His life was about to be transformed.
Jake Ballentine is a national award-winning motivational speaker and musician. He is the author of “Your Number One Goal,” a contributing author in Jack Canfield’s “Living the Success Principles” and the host of “Focus on the Good” podcast. Over the last five years he has presented and performed at hundreds of events inspiring more than 250,000 people with his unique brand of motivation, music and positivity.
How Did You Start Using Your Talents?
School work was difficult for Jake. Because of dyslexia, he especially dreaded being called on to read in class, fearing ridicule. But he loved music and sports and bonded with coaches and music teachers in high school. Despite his learning disability, he was known as a “nice guy,” and recalls easily making and keeping lots of friends. He learned the value of mentors and coaches early in life.
The Most Impactful Turning Point?
After failing in his first semester at college, Jake, a Mormon, took the path of many other young men and women of his faith. He embarked on a two-year missionary journey. “Those guys in the white shirts, riding bikes and knocking on doors – that was me.” The adult leader of the mission quickly spotted Jake’s potential and brought him into a leadership role. “That was a totally transformational experience in my life! I found something I was actually good at that wasn’t sports or music. It involved talking and communicating with people. I finally saw that, hey, I can do something. I am great at helping people see their own potential. That experience completely changed my life.”
The Most Powerful Lessons Learned?
“It doesn’t matter what you’ve been given; what matters is what you choose to do with what you’ve been given. You can get around the things that hold you back, so figure it out and do everything you can to get better and better. If you quit when things get hard, you will set a lifelong pattern to quit at the first sign of challenge or difficulty. Believe in yourself and surround yourself with the right people, people who believe in you and lift you up. Build that right team around you and forget about the people who put you down. Go full steam ahead and do everything that you can!”
Steps to Success from Jake Ballentine
1. Figure out what you want, then start taking small steps every day toward getting there.
2. Find coaches and a mentor, implement their recommendations, and you’ll get where you want much faster.
3. Stop believing the negative voices that hold you back. Stop listening.
4. Don’t quit when things get hard. Establish a pattern of finding ways to get around the obstacles.
On His Bookshelf
The Success Principles(TM) – 10th Anniversary Edition: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be, by Jack Canfield, Janet Switzer
How to Be Like Walt: Capturing the Disney Magic Every Day of Your Life, by Pat Williams and Jim Denney
Your Number One Goal, by Jake Ballentine
Connecting With Jake Ballentine
Web Page: www.jakeballentine.com
Twitter: twitter.com/jakeballentine
Free Gift
Free copy of Jake’s book, “Your Number One Goal.” Pay shipping and handling only.
Topics: Adversity, Leadership, Overcoming Obstacles