I’m a junky about learning. It really began for me when I was in radio advertising sales. I had so much to learn, but my favorite part of the job was getting to know the advertising client, and interviewing people on the air as a radio personality. I realized that I loved learning about what they do, who they are, what they want to accomplish.

It has been said that the road to success begins with the first step. Then the same should be said that to lead an extraordinary life begins with the first small but extraordinary act. Extraordinary doesn’t come to us, we must use our gifts to the best of our abilities, including our passions and dreams.

Professor of English and author K.A. Laity wrote, “We have one precious life: do something extraordinary today, even if it's tiny. A pebble starts the avalanche.”

My late brother had set his intentions to live an extraordinary life and although his life didn’t turn out exactly as he thought it would, his passion for the extraordinary adventures he experienced through his work as a missionary turned out to be the most amazing! He wanted to experience fame, but that wasn’t in the works for his life.

Paul David Tripp, wrote in his book, Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands that “Embedded in the larger story of redemption is a principle we must not miss: God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things in the lives of others.”

This is a message that is often shared in churches around the world. Too often, the ordinary person, like you and me, feel that those who have accomplished extraordinary feats were already born to do something extraordinary.

Who you become involved with really matters. It has been said that we are the sum of the five people we spend the most time with. That can be your spouse, your children, boss, teachers or even co-workers. When you are with them, you can still experience the extraordinary, even in the most ordinary activities.

How do you present yourself to others? Do your actions match the image you wish to portray? What are the keys to being extraordinary?

It is human nature to want to be happy. Most people seem to pursue happiness in just about any form imaginable. What does happiness mean to you? Does happiness mean romantic love, marriage and creating a family? Does it mean career and financial success? Does happiness mean having a lot of friends or travelling the world?

When a person sets a goal or wants something new to occur in their life, whether it is a new job, a new situation, or even to lose weight or get in shape, a good coach or therapist will teach them to visualize what it looks like for them. What will your life look like when you achieve what you imagine? Visualization is a fantastic tool to help one believe that it is possible.

When you are in a role of leadership, you have an obligation and the privilege of leading your team, co-workers or family in a path toward the extraordinary. Too often, we tend to strive too hard at accomplishing extraordinary results.

Cultural norms create a façade that in order to be considered extraordinary, one must achieve financial riches. Not all of us are afforded this sort of wealth, and it might differ from person to persona just how much financial success it would take to feel ‘extraordinary’. I want to encourage you that you are already extraordinarily rich! Consider your life, and write down all of the things that are extraordinary in your life today.