“A slow start is not an indictment.”

A thought by Zig Ziglar (2003-01-01) from his book, Zig Ziglar's Life Lifters  (p. 181). B&H Publishing. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title of the book to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

There are so many excuses that we can use to not be able to make a difference. 

Zig says, “Some of us arrive in this world with physical handicaps, others with emotional handicaps, and still others without the benefit of an intact family. All of these are critical to an individual's success. Even with all of those things going against us, we still have the ultimate responsibility for taking control and doing something with our lives.”

I love this quote by Frank Tyger, “Most barriers to your success are man-made. And most often, you're the man who made them.”  And excuses can be man-made barriers.

But Zig goes on to encourage parents and teachers. He says, “The difficult student, or the child who does not respond early on, might be a shining star in later years. That's one of the reasons my mother never gave up on any of her children. Neither did she give up on any of her grandchildren. Her faith, belief, and encouragement had a huge impact on our lives.”

He then says, “The record books are filled with people who had reason to quit early on, but they received a word of encouragement, became persistent, and worked hard. They developed the characteristics of honesty, integrity, faith, love, loyalty, enthusiasm, commitment, and responsibility. They even learned to love and respect others, becoming difference-makers in the lives of many. So hang in there, parents and teachers. Encourage the young early in their lives. After all, it's not where you start—it's where you go that makes the difference. And perhaps most important of all, it's not what you get by succeeding in life—it's what you become by succeeding.”

So don’t give up on yourself or your child or your mate or that someone close to you. 

Remember as Zig says, “Hope is the foundational quality of all change, and encouragement is the fuel on which hope runs. Consistent words of encouragement will have a positive impact on the recipient.” 

So you're going to keep at it, aren't you?