Here’s how to get what you want from life…

And it’s based on a story I heard visiting the Isle of Skye.

Opposite Skye is Raasay. And in the north of Raasay is a town called Arnish.

For decades the locals had lobbied the council to build a road connecting Arnish to rest of Raasay.

And for decades the council had said no. 

I’m sure the Arnish residents were fed up.

After all, this is a long time to keep hearing no.  Not much is likely to change after years of campaigning.

But one of the townsman saw things differently. 

His name was Calum MacLeod.

And Calum decided to take matters into his own hands.

He bought a copy of Road Making & Maintenance…

Read the book cover to cover…

And in 1964 he started to build the road himself.  Using nothing but a shovel and a wheelbarrow.

Pretty incredible right?

It was slow and painstaking work.  But he stuck with it.

The days turned into months…

And the months turned into years…

And he kept building...

After TEN YEARS he had completed the road.

And seeing as the road was built, the council gave it their blessing.

Calum had taken up the task and he got the result he wanted.

But that’s not the end of the story…

Because by the time Calum had finished the road, he and his wife were the only people left in the town.

Everyone else had moved.

Some might say what a waste of time.  And I’d have some sympathy with this. 

After all, I don’t think many people would spend ten years building a road on a remote Scottish island.

Especially if they knew there’d be no-one to use the road after it had been built.

But you know what?

That’s missing the point.

Because to Calum it wasn’t a waste of time.

It was his mission, his purpose, his path.

You can use whatever word you like.

Calum knew what he wanted and he stuck to it, even when others around him were leaving.

I admire his grit and determination.

And this is a great lesson.

Because it shows you don’t need permission from anyone else to create your own path in life.

(especially not the local council)

Hearing this story made me realise:

It might not be easy going…

The road might be lonely…

It might take a long time…

And discipline will play a big part…

But if you know what you want and take action day after day, you can get the results you’re seeking.

Maybe a story to keep in mind.

That's it for today.

Have a good Tuesday.

- Tom

p.s. Whenever you're ready, here are the ways you can connect with me