Chapter 13. Step Two: Dare Something Worthy

Pull up a chair, and let me tell you a story or two. This will set the stage for Step Two in this miraculous formula for making your dreams come true.

Exceed You

When I was a teenager one of my heroes was the late Floyd Patterson. Floyd was Heavyweight Boxing Champion of the world—twice. He was also the youngest man in history to win the title.

He was a nice guy in an often bad business. He wrote his autobiography and titled it something intriguing, Victory Over Myself. I love the title because of the ideal it conveys. Instead of trying to beat the world, just try to improve yourself. Runners call it "exceeding your personal best." In other words, if you aren't happy with yourself, find a way to be victorious over yourself.

There is no competition. There is no enemy. There is only the desire to improve yourself. As you improve, the world improves.

Floyd Patterson knew this. And he became one of the most famous and lovable boxing champions of the world.

I met Floyd when I was maybe 16 years old. It was right after a bout in Cleveland, Ohio. I managed to crawl over bleachers, jump a rail, and stand in the path where Floyd would be headed back to his training room. He looked at me with this gentle, kind smile. I reached up and patted his massive shoulder as I congratulated him on his win that night.

I never forgot it. Floyd was in boxing because that was the job that took him out of poverty. But he knew the only real opponents in the world were ...

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