Babe Ruth created a significant day in history for baseball fans when he hit his 60th home run of the season on Sept 30th, 1927. This record stood unchallenged for 37 years!

Then on October 1st, 1961 Roger Maris of the New York Yankees broke the record by hitting 61 home runs for the season.

Records such as these create fame and history. Most anyone knows who Babe Ruth was, even those who do not follow baseball. His achievement made him a hero to many, and famous to all.

Hero followers spend thousands of dollars on their favorites stars.

If you are not a hero follower, you may well ask: what on earth do they spend so much money on? Collector’s cards (for example baseball cards), posters, books, videos, information, anything they can buy to remind them of their hero.

But why do we follow our heroes? Identity, and perhaps the chance to share in the success of others.

Roger Maris - 1960 - Wikipedia

It is good to recognize, even honor people such as Babe Ruth and Roger Maris who have made great achievements. But it is not good to spend all your time and energy following another human being, while your own God given purpose for living may be pushed aside. (This may not be you – great – but if it is, read on!).

Don’t forget:
YOU have a purpose in this life too. It may not be to hit a home run in baseball, but you do have goals waiting for you to achieve in your own fields of interest and passions. These need to be your main life focus.

Don’t forget:
Your dreams and your life passions can only be achieved by you.

• Only you have the ability to decide to follow your dreams.
• Only you have what it takes (if you use it) to achieve your dreams.

Here is a challenge for you today:

Turn your heroes into mentors!

No doubt there are people whom you admire, respect and perhaps even follow. If you like baseball, no doubt Babe Ruth and Roger Maris are among your heroes – that can be good. Rather than spending so much of your time and energy and your dollars on simply admiring them and their achievements, why not begin to investigate the secrets of their success?

As you study their lives – ask yourself:

• What can I learn from their example.
• What characteristics did they display in their lives that I need in my life?
• What example do my heroes display in their character that I can follow?
• Am I willing to stay disciplined, focused and make the necessary sacrifices to achieve my dreams – just as my heroes did? (No doubt as you study the lives of successful people you will discover that their journeys towards success were full of very windy and steep roads, but they did not give up).

I am sure that you will discover that one of the most outstanding characteristics found in the lives of all great achievers is best expressed in Babe Ruth’s own words:

It’s hard to beat somebody when they don’t give up.

Question: Are you unbeatable?

I read just today a quote on twitter (@successmagazine)

“The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me.” — Ayn Rand

No one could stop Babe Ruth, Roger Maris and a multitude of others from achieving their goals and dreams.  Who is going to stop you?