A great life is a distinguishable life. It is a life remarkable for its ability and character. And when we talk of Great Men, we refer to the competent, the well-informed and fully-deserving characterized only by a ranking considerably above the  normal or average. They command our admiration. The very reason great men have come to be our favourites-folks we consider as the best in their fields. People, who by their example inspire us with a view to bringing out the best in us. This piece x-rays the ingredients common to great lives. Each is considered very important in the entire greatness mix.

Great men understand in the words of Bobb Biehl that, “focus precedes success.” They realize they can only be renowned for a specifics and not generics so they bring all their energies to bear on the purpose at hand – the one that matters. In the words of Andrew Carnegie, “they put all their eggs in one basket, and then sit to watch that basket.” Not dissipating their resource and energy on too many things, no matter how lofty. That is why we know them. Henry Ford is remembered for his achievement in the auto world; Faraday in electricity; Walt Disney for his animations; Philo Farnsworth for the electronic TV. 

These men who see themselves primarily as being on an assignment, with an object in view. To them, the main thing must always remain the main thing. And just like Seneca remarked, “they know the harbor to which they are headed. So they position themselves accordingly to catch the winds to take them there.” Little wonder they become specialists. We are still in the era of the specialist. And the management gurus of our time are today telling organizations to cut down on many and varied interests and gravitates towards key area of strength. The admonition is very simple: focus, focus, focus. In their view it is better to be strong somewhere than become weak everywhere. There’s no point trying to become too many things at all, when you can become one outstanding thing to all.

My counsel to you, if you ever desire to be great, is “never want many things.” Even Jesus told busy Martha that, “one thing is needful.” And God hates the unfocused. He describes such as being double-minded, undecided and uncertain in all their ways; that become so unstable and are unable to keep a steady course. The consequence is that he should not hope to receive anything from the Lord. Beware of divided loyalty. Determine exactly what you want in life. And in so doing, you will have made the most important decision of your life. “for you have to know what you want”, remarked Douglas  Lurtan,  “In order to attain it.” Conficus observed that “he who chases two rabbits catches none.” So, find your purpose or business and then mind it. Be warned therefore that “he who wishes to fulfill his mission in this world must be a man of one idea, that is, of one great overmastering purpose, overshadowing all his aims, and guiding and controlling his entire life.”(Julius Bate)

The past, whether good or bad; success or failure; does not hold much significance in the life of great men. The renowned Apostle Paul said, “forgetting the things that are behind me.” Paul lived in a state of constant forgetfulness of past victories, defeats, faults etc. this is one character worth emulating. Great men see their past experiences whatever – as guideposts, not as hitching spot. They understand that the failures of yesterday are not worth brooding over as they drain the impetus for the future. Neither are the triumphs gone by to be endlessly relished as they cloud the need the future progress. They simply put the past right where it belongs – in the past! This is worth following.

So many today consider their background and conclude their unfitness for greatness. This ought not to be. Had Philo Farnsworth considered he was merely a peasant farm boy who later became an orphan; his dream for the TV would have died with him. What about Abraham Lincoln, his past record is perhaps one of the worst I have ever seen. Failing I business, losing all kinds of election and even losing his wife – all over a period of nearly 3 decades – yet he became one of America’s most outstanding presidents. So why the much ado about the past? Just let yesterday go! Even God has no interest in man’s past. He doesn’t enjoy recalling the former things. He even buries man’s sin in the sea of his forgetfulness. All he wants is to do a new thing. God’s view of the former is that it isn’t worth comparing to the latter, so deprive the past of the much emphasis.

They are men who live a life of constant yearning. The longing for what is ahead is what makes life worthwhile for them. The essence of forgetting the past is to be enabled to have a proper sense of anticipation. These two cannot be carried out simultaneously. You must first forget the past in order to look forward to the future. The Apostle Paul remarked “…forgetting the things that are behind and straining to what lies ahead, I press towards the mark”. It is only focused men with the nerve to let go of their past that have what it takes to advance towards their goal in life. You must look forward to what lies ahead of you always and with enthusiasm. You must strain towards attaining your purpose in life. Be like the athlete whose only goal from the starting blocks is the breasting of the tape -  even the winning of the gold. Life isn’t worth anything if there’s nothing to look forward to. Begin to live life full of expectations and high expectations. Because according to Sam Walton, “high expectations hold the key to everything”. Let your hands be outstretched daily for what is to come (greatness and achievement). And then, strain ahead for it. Press for the home stretch. Do your best to reach what is ahead of you. Be like David Livingstone whose singular motto was, ”I’ll go anywhere, provided it is forward”.