Start with what you have, not with what you don’t have. Opportunity is always where you are, never where you were. To get anywhere you must launch out for somewhere or you will get nowhere. Hamilton Mabie said, “The question for each man to settle is not what he would do if he had the means, time, influence and education advantages, but what he will do with the things he has.” God will always give us an ability to create what we need from something that is already there.
Each person tends to underrate or overrate that which they do not possess. Ed Howe said, “People are always neglecting something they can do and trying to do something they can’t do.” I agree with Teddy Roosevelt when he said, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” The only way to learn anything thoroughly is by starting at the bottom (except when learning how to swim). To be successful, do what you can.
Ken Keys, Jr. said, “To be upset over what you don’t have is to waste what you do have.” The truth is that many are successful because they didn’t have the advantages others had. People with enterprise accomplish more than others because they go ahead and do it before they are ready.
Epicurus said, “Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; but remember that what you now have was once among the things only hoped for.” Henri Amiel observed, “Almost everything comes from almost nothing.”
No improvement is so certain as that which proceeds from the right and timely use of what you already have. Mike Murdock said, “Whatever God has already given to you will create anything else He has promised to you.” Everyone who has arrived had to begin where they were.
The truth is, you can’t know what you can do until you try. The most important thing about reaching your dream is starting right where you are. Edward Hail said, “I cannot do everything, but I still can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something I can do.”
I look in hope or fear;
but, grateful, take the good I find,
the best of now and here.
John Greenleaf Whittier
Excerpt permission granted by Insight Publishing
John Mason is an international bestselling author, minister, publisher, executive author coach, and noted speaker. He’s the founder and president of Insight International and Insight Publishing Group. Both organizations are dedicated to helping people reach their dreams and fulfill their God-given destinies.
He has authored thirty-two books including An Enemy Called Average, You’re Born An Original—Don’t Die A Copy, Let Go of Whatever Makes You Stop, and Know Your Limits Then Ignore Them which have sold over 2 million copies and are translated into 40 different languages throughout the world. His books are widely regarded as a source of godly wisdom, scriptural motivation, and practical principles. His writings have been published twice in Reader’s Digest along with numerous other national and international publications. Seven of his books have reached number one on Amazon bestseller lists.
He’s been the president of two Christian publishing companies. He’s also a former Vice President and Publisher for Thomas Nelson Publishers (Harper Collins), the 6th largest book publisher in the world and largest Christian publisher.
He’s an internationally recognized executive author coach, helping numerous prominent authors with their books for more than thirty years. Politicians, NBA, NFL, PGA, MLB, an Olympic gold medalist and other professional athletes, billionaires, businesspeople, pastors, ministers, New York Times bestselling authors, a Fortune 500 CEO, Navy SEALs, Top Gun pilots, and a Texas governor have all benefitted from his knowledge.
Known for his quick wit, powerful thoughts, and insightful ideas, he is a popular speaker across the US and around the world.