Ok, I have to confess. I was told many times that I could not be motivated by external things. It had to come from within. But, I love to be inspired by words and by music. When I am in a rut, I can get energy from those words and music.

Am I the only one, or are there any performers or any songs that are so inspirational that listening or watching them sung gives you goosebumps? Whitney Houston singing One Moment in Time is one of those songs for me.

If you have just a few minutes and you want to be inspired and energized, watch this video clip when she is singing it in a tribute to Sammy Davis, Jr. I hope Whitney Houston’s words and passion will inspire you as they inspire me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7aEeLG3l1U

Here are some of the lyrics:

I want one moment in time
When I’m more than I thought I could be
When all of my dreams are a heartbeat away
And the answers are all up to me
Give me one moment in time
When I’m racing with destiny
Then in that one moment of time
I will feel
I will feel eternity

I think you can be inspired by that song and want to have your “one moment in time when you are more than you thought you could be.” Beyond just being inspired, I want to help you with what it takes to become “more than you thought you could be.”

Did you read Seth Godin’s blog post: Just the good parts?   He explains why many people do not reach their potential because they focus on just the good parts.

For a trial lawyer the good part is trying a case. I might even say that the good part is trying and winning every case.

But, to get the opportunity to try cases, you have to constantly work on developing your skills and constantly practice what you do in the courtroom. Unless you work for a firm where the corporate department serves up cases for the litigators, you also actually have to attract litigation clients.

You also have to deal with losing cases. I don’t know any real trial lawyers who win every case. As Seth Godin shared:

The very thing you’re seeking only exists because of the whole. We can’t deny the difficult parts, we have no choice but to embrace them.

You may know I wrote a book: Prepare to Win. I hope you have read it. If not, you can order it on my website or electronically on Amazon or iTunes. I chose the title based on a quote attributed to many famous coaches:

It’s not the will to win, but the will to prepare to win that makes the difference.

I also included chapters on having a purpose, a vision and core values to both find career success and life fulfillment.

So, do you have the will to prepare to win and prepare to be more than you thought you could be? If you do, and you work to develop your skills, you may become an outstanding lawyer. But, keep in mind, you will only be fulfilled and happy if it all fits with your purpose, vision and core values. When all those things are aligned you may well experience your “one moment in time.”