“The mental demand must be directed by every power of the mind and every possible element should be used to make the demand materialize. You can so intently desire a thing that you exclude all distracting thoughts. When you practice this singleness of concentration until you attain the end sought, you have developed a Will capable of accomplishing whatever you wish.” – Theron Q. Dumont

There are many people who want to be great and fail to get there. The problem is that most of the time, they are just fantasizing. They haven’t made a real concentrated mental demand; they don’t actually have a burning desire to see that end a reality.

It’s easy to fantasize about doing something great, but it’s hard to concentrate on that one thing and block out all other distraction. If you find yourself in the position of having a lofty aspiration, but you have a habit of getting side-tracked, then you haven’t formed a sufficient mental demand. You don’t want it badly enough.

” As long as you can only do the ordinary things you will be counted in the mass of mediocrity. But just as quick as you surpass others by even a comparatively small measure, you are classed as one of life’s successes. So, if you wish to emerge into prominence, you must accomplish something more than the ordinary man or woman. It is easy to do this if you will but concentrate on what you desire and put forth your best effort.” – Theron Q. Dumont

How do you want to go down in history? What kind of tale do you want people to tell when you’re gone? How would you feel about your life if you heard people at your funeral say, “Oh, Ted, he was a nice guy, always playing his video games and drinking beer though.”? I would roll over in my grave.

It’s not always the person who is best suited to succeed who does it, but the one who puts forth the strongest desire force. I saw this all the time in martial arts. A big guy would come into the gym and line up to spar with a smaller guy. You could see in the big guy’s face that he was confident in his success, but as soon as they started, you’d see the big guy on his back, dumbfounded.

The smaller guy would absolutely demolish the big guy, and why? Because the smaller guy wanted it more; he put in hundreds of hours sharpening his skills, years of losing and winning and as a result of his strong desire to be a great martial artist he can easy take on an opponent much larger and stronger than he is.

Sometimes I was that smaller guy. I was very skinny growing up and the majority of my opponents underestimated me, but as soon as we got down to it, that judgement would change. I didn’t always win, but I would take on people much bigger and stronger than me and sometimes I’d win because I wanted it more than they did.

“The men that are looked upon as the world’s successes have not always been men of great physical power, nor at the start did they seem very well adapted to the conditions which encompassed them. In the beginning they were not considered men of superior genius, but they won their success by their resolution to achieve results in their undertakings by permitting no set-back to dishearten them; no difficulties to daunt them. Nothing could turn them or influence them against their determination. They never lost sight of their goal. In all of us there is this silent force of wonderful power.” – Theron Q. Dumont

A wonderful example of this kind of person is Elon Musk. Musk has achieved more than most people could ever dream of and his journey wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows, but Musk did anything in his power to see his desires become a reality.

Musk slept on a couch in his office and showered at the YMCA when he was starting his internet company Compaq with his brother and his friend. The company eventually sold for $307 million. How many people are willing to do that to see their dreams come true?

Musk went on to make millions more after merging his company X.com with Paypal, but he didn’t stop there. He poured millions of dollars of his own money into his companies SpaceX and Tesla. He’s now sitting as Chief Engineer at SpaceX, and he doesn’t have an engineering degree! He was even spat on by a Russian chief designer because he was seen as a novice! But look at him now! Did that stop him?

“I think it is possible for ordinary people to choose to be extraordinary.” – Elon Musk

Yes, Elon is much more intelligent than the average person, but it wasn’t by intelligence alone that he has accomplished all that he did. Musk has those other qualities that makes one great, perseverance, determination, resolution, even after all of his success he never stops learning and striving to be better.

Mental Demand may seem obscure because it is an intangible force, but if you study the lives of people who have achieved great success, you can see its effect and application. The best part about it is that its free for you to use if you will but apply it.

Dumont says that Mental Demand can be so strong that it will draw external forces to you. He gives the example of thinking about someone and then seeing them or that person calls you. Or thinking about a certain thing and then it pops up in your life shortly afterward. Or when you are thinking about bringing up a certain subject to a friend and then they broach the subject before you say anything. I’ve experienced things like this, and I’m sure you have as well.

“The person that never wants anything gets little. To demand resolutely is the first set toward getting what you want.” – Theron Q. Dumont

Know clearly what you want, demand it resolutely, and then do not let your desire falter. Doubt weakens your demand force, and once it has been lost, it can be difficult to get back. If you want a great deal, then you must demand such, and you will be rewarded according to the effort you put forth to its fulfillment.

Dumont said that anyone of average ability can be successful, independent, free of worry, and their own master, if you can manage to do two things.

1. Remain forever dissatisfied with what you ARE doing and with what you HAVE accomplished.
2. Develop in your mind the belief that the word impossible was not intended for you. Build up in your mind the confidence that enables your mind to use its power.

It doesn’t matter where you are or how old you are or your current situation. You have the power within you to do whatever it is that you desire. YOU MUST DEMAND IT.