I’m a huge fan of Donald Trump. Many people know this. I’m always reading something about him, I loved The Apprentice, and I always quote him. In one of his books, he mentions the fact that most people earn within 10% of their friends. The idea is, if you make a lot of money, you socialize with people who also make a lot of money. If you hang with low-lifes, you’ll be a low-life…etc. Fair enough..I believe it. Anyway, the same is true for motivation. If you place yourself around highly motivated people, you will be more likely to be motivated. Look at the top colleges in the country. Why are they the top? Because of the price? Maybe. I’d venture to say the students that go there are so high of a caliber, and motivated, that they push each other to become better. Why can’t the Cisco world be the same way? I don’t want to talk to people who are “thinking” about the CCNA for 2 yrs. I want to talk to those who are scheduling exams, and putting in the lab and book time..because THOSE are the people who motivate me. I’m not saying I dislike or don’t enjoy talking to cisco “hopefuls”, on the contrary- I love helping others. I just don’t look to that crowd for motivation.

I’m not really the type who gets super amped up about something and lets the fire die. I’d say I’m more like what you might call a “true believer”. I get a goal in my heart, and believe in it so much that I absolutely know it will happen..it’s just a matter of finding out the how to get to that point.

Anyway, at the end of the day, yes, the CCIE, and all other exams, are just that- exams. However, without motivation, you won’t go far. Maybe the CCIE is more than just knowing the technologies. Maybe it’s just as much of a test of personality as it is skills.

It’s key to note also, to not only receive that support, but give it right back. Thank your signifigant other for being there, and show it often.

All I’m saying is, stay with it, and use your support. It may be a friend, relative, wife, husband, whatever- but take advantage of those around you who want you to succeed, channel their energy and turn it into motivation to overcome the many obstacles you will encounter during your CCIE journey!

I am now at about 2 weeks of “formal” CCIE study, and things are going great. My study habits are leveling out and becoming more regular, I’m beginning to retain more information, and grasp more difficult concepts. Things are going well! Now only if I can keep them that way for 12 months!!

I am a true believer that anyone can do what they want..with the necessary work. I don’t think I could be the next American Idol, but I do believe if I was dedicated enough, I could be a successful professional musician. Why? Because although some level of natural talent helps, it’s not the only factor. If you have the right mindset, nothing can stop you. A favorite quote of mine is by Thomas Jefferson. He said:

“Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal. Nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.”

As humans, we hold so much potential within ourselves, but so very few people exercise that potential, and push their limits. I’m not just talking about going to school and getting a bachelors. I’m talking about someone deciding that they are going to start the business they always wanted to despite the odds..or the kid growing up who wants to be a millionaire. Why not? By no means am I suggesting you throw caution to the wind and go on tour with a rock band instead of going to college. All I am saying is, if that’s what you want to do, you can.

That being said, ask yourself this- what is holding you back from attaining your goals? Whether it’s to become a CCIE, or attain a Master’s degree, the path of a thousand miles begins with one step! As humans, we are inherently afraid of that which we do not know. I still encounter subjects that I’m “afraid” of. My solution these days is to attack them, and focus all of my attention on them. Before I know it, I realize there wasn’t much to them. The hardest part was just the initial shock of being emersed in something which I knew nothing about!

So whether it’s studying for the CCIE, or CISSP, MCSE, or for your degree…hit the books and never stop learning. Even if it’s only learning something new per day- keep at it!

For more on adding Frame Relay to your CCIE studies, see CT’s (Cisco_trooper) blog