It’s one thing to have role models. It’s another thing to try to be someone you aren’t.
So says Dr. Dave Martin, author of The 12 Traits of the Greats. One of the key themes in Martin’s book is that God wants you to succeed—and you should do that by finding your personal purpose and passion.
Charisma News caught up with Martin to talk about the three reasons God wants us to succeed, the two most important days in your life, how you can discover your purpose and what he learned from writing his latest book.
Charisma News: In your book, you talk about three reasons why God wants us to succeed. What are those reasons?
Martin: The number one reason is so others can see what God can do in someone’s life who follows His Word, His principles. Another reason is so you can take care of your family. I don’t think that God wants you struggling, barely getting by. The third reason is so you can fulfill the Great Commission. If you are successful you can be generous. It’s not about the stuff. It’s not about the house or the car. It’s so you can help others.
Charisma News: You’ve talk about the two most important days in your life. What are they?
Martin: The two most important days are the day you’re born and the day you discover your purpose. Why are you here? What’s the reason? I read in USA Today that 52 percent of Americans hate their jobs. They get up every day and go to a place they don’t want to go.
In the book I give a list of questions you can ask yourself to help discover what your passion is. If you’re in a bookstore, what section do you go to first? What kind of magazines do you like to read? What makes you mad? When you’re doing what you love, what you love will reward you. Passion is not as much about you as it is about others. What you can do to help others with that passion?
Charisma News: What did you learn while writing this book that surprised you or has helped you personally?
Martin: No one’s definition of success is going to be the same. You’re definition of success is going to be different than mine. To me, success is just being happy where you’re at and with what you’re doing. Studying the greats, I’ve noticed over time their definition of success changed. My definition of success today is different than it was five years ago and five years from now my definition of success will probably be different than it is today. It’s just defining what success is for you in this season and doing your best to achieve it.
Charisma News: Any closing thoughts?
Martin: I just want people to pursue the greatness that God has put on the inside of them. Be who God created you to be. Be yourself. You’ve got a lot of people trying to be someone else but that’s an insult. How about trying to be something that He created you to be?
