"People do not decide to become extraordinary. They decide to accomplish extraordinary things"

The essence of this quote is pretty straightforward: it's not about deciding to be extraordinary yourself, it's about deciding to do extraordinary things. When you choose to tackle remarkable challenges and achieve significant goals, that's what sets you apart. The focus is on your actions, not some inherent, mystical quality you might possess.

Imagine someone saying this during a motivational speech—maybe at a graduation or a company retreat. They want to inspire the audience to aim high, not by just believing they are special, but by daring to do special things. It's a call to action, urging people to focus on what they do rather than who they are.

Let’s take a real-life example: Malala Yousafzai. She didn't wake up one day and decide, "I'm going to be an extraordinary person." No, she decided to fight for girls' education in Pakistan, a cause that put her life at risk. Through her actions—writing a blog under a pseudonym, speaking out on international platforms, and continuing her advocacy despite being attacked—she accomplished extraordinary feats. Her bravery and relentless pursuit of education rights for girls made her extraordinary, not some self-perceived status.

So how can you apply this? Start by identifying what extraordinary things you want to achieve. It could be something big like solving a community problem, or something personal like running a marathon. The key is to set a clear, actionable goal. Break it down into steps, and then, just go for it. It’s not about waiting until you feel ready or amazing enough. It’s about taking those steps one at a time.

Picture this: You're at a coffee shop with a friend who's always wanted to start their own business but feels they're not cut out for it. They're waiting for that 'extraordinary' feeling to kick in. You could share this idea with them, suggesting they focus on the business itself—conduct market research, create a business plan, start small. By doing these things, by taking these actions, they’re on the path to something extraordinary. They don’t need to be extraordinary from the start.

I remember a time when I felt completely out of my depth. I wanted to write a novel. The idea of being an 'author' felt like something for other people—extraordinary people. But when I broke it down into writing a little every day, researching my topics, and developing my characters, it became less about being an extraordinary person and more about doing the work. By the end, I had something I was proud of, and maybe that’s a bit extraordinary.

In the end, it's about shifting your mindset. Instead of waiting for the stars to align and feeling extraordinary, start doing the work. Take on challenges, put in the effort, and the extraordinary will follow. It’s all in your hands—what extraordinary thing will you decide to do today?