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Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction

Famous Quote: Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction

Paul Huber

Most people make decisions about the actions they will take at the moment they arise, without much planning on their part. With this, they don’t realize that they are losing something essential in their lives, something that cannot be recovered, and they are wasting their time and efforts. Your goals serve as your guide as to what purpose you are headed to. It will lead you in the right direction.

Your goal is what you want to achieve, while purpose is the reason behind achieving your goal. Think about it in another way, living without having a dream, without having clear goals, is like sailing aimlessly. Some are clear about where they want to go, and others get carried away by the tides.

The importance of having a purpose

The importance of having a purpose lies in the fact that it will allow you to organize yourselves better to know how to work or act, what things or results to look for. When you know where you are going, you can set goals that fit and align with your long-term goals. Hence, this assures that you are on the right path.

Your purpose inspires your actions. They stimulate you, and they encourage you, they move you to do. They push you to climb steps and the bar of your effort. Having a clear purpose allows you to reorient yourself if you get lost or don’t know what to do. It makes all your effort be directed towards a particular goal. In short, they give meaning to your effort and bring results.

Successful people know what their goals are and perform the daily actions necessary to achieve those purposes. Time is limited and is the same for everyone. And since time is limited, perhaps you should ask yourself what you can do to make the most of it. 

It is also essential to note that people have a purpose in their lives, which is the engine that leads them to face challenges and difficulties to achieve that purpose. Every day, you have opportunities to make the necessary changes that allow you to improve your quality of life. So what are you waiting for to take control of your life? Why don’t you spend a few minutes now deciding what you want to do with your life? 

John F. Kennedy: A charismatic leader with courage and purpose

John F. Kennedy is one of the most remembered American politicians who served as the 35th president of the United States. He is known as a leader with a sense of purpose and a risk-taker. He also neither complained nor stopped moving for any trials he had encountered in his life that made him known to have the ability to inspire people to act.  

A Young Man Lived In A Village

Learning Idioms in Context: A Young Man Lived In A Village

Paul Huber

Here is a short story about a young man who lived in a village. You’ll find idiom definitions, example sentences, conversations, and a short quiz after reading the story.

There was a young man who lived in a village. He was one of the most responsible residents in that village. All the residents loved him. He was known to help anybody at the drop of a hat. Sometimes he bites off more than he can chew, but he never complained.

The longer he lived in that village, the more that he was on a wild goose chase due to some not genuine request, but he was still there to help. With this, people admired him. His attitude became contagious. He made himself available to those who were in need. On the other hand, it became natural that other people rain on his parade as they thought he was doing this with a purpose.

Some of his neighborhood created a feeling of unhappiness against him. But one day, when he turned nineteen years old, a fantastic thing happened. He received numerous birthday greetings. Most residents invited him to dinner, but he needed to take a rain check. Everyone thanked him for his effort to help others in times of need.   

The residents gathered together. The young man was asked:

“What motivates you to help us?”

Moral of the story: Always do good and ready to help others.

Bite off more than you can chew

Meaning
  • to promise something to do which is hardly achievable 
Example Sentences

I like to suggest that you don’t be afraid to bite off more than you can chew when you are not that skilled enough to complete the task.

Mylene bites off more than she can chew because she takes significant risks for every venture she is engaged for her business.

A: Are you sure that you can handle all these teams?

B: I am not sure as I bite off more than I could chew when I agreed to manage these three teams.

At the drop of a hat

Meaning
  • without any hesitation or immediately, without delay
Example Sentences

My father is my hero, and he is ready anytime for me at the drop of a hat.

Due to the traffic condition tonight, you can’t expect me to arrive in our meeting place at the drop of a hat.

A: What do you love most to do?

B: Travelling is one of my hobbies. I’m ready all the time at the drop of a hat.

On a wild goose chase

Meaning
  • to chase or search for something impossible to find 
Example Sentences

Jim has been on a wild goose chase trying to find for a blue rose in a nearby garden. 

Sam was on a wild goose chase trying to search for free food in the canteen yesterday. 

A: You look so tired. What happened?

B: My sister and I were on a wild goose chase after our dog vanished into woods.

Rain on someone’s parade

Meaning
  • to ruin or spoil someone’s plan 
Example Sentences

Daniel rained on his brother’s parade by giving him more tasks so that he cannot attend his classmate’s birthday party.

I don’t like to rain on your parade, but I think you are not capable of joining our group yet.

A: It seems that you wanted to say something. What is it?

B: It is never my intention to rain on your parade, but there is a piece of bad news.

Take a rain check

Meaning
  • to refuse or decline an offer nicely but might be taken up later
Example Sentences

Sharon has to take a rain check for a lunch invitation this Monday.

Alma cannot decide to join the annual camp, but she said that she would like to take a rain check on it.

A: Are you coming with us tonight?

B: I will take a rain check as I have a lot of tasks to finish.

Quiz

  1. I don’t want _______________ because it is very risky.
  2. Linda’s boyfriend is reliable because he _______________any time.
  3. Investigators are frequently _______________ .
  4. My mother has to _______________ as she never wanted to be a loser.
  5. Most of the time, wise people always _______________ before making a decision.
A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination, and hard work

Famous Quote: A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination, and hard work

Paul Huber

Hard work and success go together. The vast majority of people who have achieved success claim that for a considerable time. They had to work hard to break through to get what they wanted. There is no magic formula that will lead you to success, and there is also no short route to reach it because success in life depends on a series of factors to which you must dedicate time. Those who strive, sacrifice, and work hard to achieve their goals are those who enjoy the triumph since it requires effort, energy, time, study, and passion for achieving success.

Hard work causes all your senses to be anchored to the goals you set. This strategy has the advantage, which is an effective means to accumulate energy, achieve conviction, and adopt positive habits. The power of determination will give you that excellent preparation so you can face the most difficult challenges in life. With this, there will be no challenge you can not overcome. You will feel inside that burning fire that will lead you to demand more each day until you achieve all the goals you have set.

Hard work can lead to smart work.

While it is true that you should work hard with a goal in mind, working hard that leads to working smart also matters. The more you focus and exert effort, the more that you establish efficient goals and strategies to obtain excellent results. Successful people usually invest time, energy, personal, and spiritual strength to come up with good results. They love the work they do and have the determination to succeed. They believe in what they do, know their skills, and apply them in their projects with high performance.

Consistency and hard work guarantee success

Taking much hard work and finding the passion in the things you do guarantee success. You will be surrounded by good energies that will keep you motivated. If you are executing the activities you love most, and then the hard work will be a much lighter burden since your positive emotional state will cause additional energy to give you that extra effort that makes a difference.

Colin Powell: A Military Personnel, Diplomat and Politician in the United States

Colin Powell was a military, diplomat and politician in the United States although born with Jamaican parents. He was a four-star general in the United States Army, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the Persian Gulf War later became the Secretary of State during the George W. Bush administration. Powell pointed out that the qualities of a good leader were marked by having the ability to give the greatest effort.

Learning Idioms in Context: Making New Friends

Paul Huber

Here is a short story about Dave’s interest to make more friends. You’ll find idiom definitions, example sentences, conversations, and a short quiz after reading the story.

There was a young boy named Dave. He had one friend, and he wanted to make more friends. He thought that he was on the ball to make more friends in the neighborhood. 

Dave was never happy without a lot of friends around him, so he decided to go out alone without his mother. He spent his whole day walking around in the neighborhood but did not meet any new friends. He thought that he might be barking up the wrong tree, so he moved to another block. A few days later, he did not make any new friends.

Dave decided to travel to meet new friends in the next town. He thought that this would not cost an arm and a leg, but he has spent his extra allowance while travelling. After spending a month, he realized that he had thrown caution to the wind when he decided to move in this town to make new friends. He went back home, and his mom accepted him and let him off the hook.

Let someone off the hook

Meaning
  • to release someone from blame or responsibility
Example Sentences

Dale was suspected of cheating in their monthly exam, but he was left off the hook when he got a failing score.

Jenny was scheduled to clean their house, but her mom let her off the hook because Jenny has received an excellent score in her Math exam. 

A: Danny did not attend the orientation. Are you sure that he can follow all the rules?

B: He is a fast learner, so let him off the hook. I am sure that he will do good.

On the ball

Meaning
  • knowledgeable and competent
Example Sentences

The new company director is really on the ball as the sales target went beyond what’s expected. 

Rhea completed her report so quickly as she is on the ball with this kind of task.

A: Why is it that you can get that formula quickly? Is there any secret?

B: My mother said that I need to study well so that I will always be on the ball on any subject.

Barking up the wrong tree

Meaning
  • to make a wrong assumption or choice in something 
Example Sentences

Rexy is barking up the wrong tree because he always focuses on his problem rather than its solution. 

The cops were barking up the wrong tree as they point a man that was nowhere in the crime scene. 

A: Sara told me that I became so addicted to mobile games because I have my smartphone with me always.

B: She is barking up the wrong tree because I don’t see any mobile games app on your phone.

Cost an arm and a leg

Meaning
  • expensive
Example Sentences

I would love to invite all my friends and relatives for my birthday celebration, but this will cost an arm and a leg when I do that. 

To look pleasant and charming, most movie actors and actresses undergo cosmetic surgery that costs an arm and a leg for them. 

A: What’s your birthday wish gift this year from your parents?

B: I know this wish will cost an arm and a leg for my parents, but I hope I can have a new pair of Nike shoes.

Throw caution to the wind

Meaning
  • to decide without thinking of the risk or its adverse effects
Example Sentences

Tourists are warned not to throw caution to the wind when they visited an area for the first time. 

Samantha throws caution to the wind when she goes shopping as she always buys expensive dresses and shoes. 

A: I want to swim in the deep area now! Do you want to go with me?

B: I can’t! I never throw caution to the wind when I go swimming, as I am not sure about the sea current.

Quiz

1. Letty is always _____________ because she was the youngest in the group.

2. My mother is absolutely _____________ when it comes to cooking my favorite recipe.

3. My sister is _____________ because she always insists that our youngest brother eats all her food in the refrigerator.

4. Celia is very thrifty because she never tried to buy an item which ______________.

5. Teenagers usually ________________ and end up regretting it.