It has been said that America is a country that has no idea where it is going, but is determined to break the land speed record getting there.
Having determination is one thing, but having a goal is another.

I am the proud owner of my second Dyson.
The first was given to me by a man at a dump and was very broken (the word ‘dump’ should have been a clue!) It was about as useful as liberally sprinkling a shagpile carpet with a split bag of builders’ sand, only more effective.

My new spangly vacuum cleaner is a thing of beauty as well as usefulness. It looks like some kind of space-age art installation. But James Dyson did not have immediate success with his inventions. His journey to success inspires me. In an interview, he described how he has learnt determination through long-distance running. He said he was not naturally good at it, but had learnt to persevere and became a skilled runner with great stamina. He needed huge self-belief and determination to continue to create the many hundreds of patents needed for his cyclone vacuum technology.

In 1970 Dave Kunst and his brother John from Waseca, Minnesota set out to attempt to became the first people to walk around the world. With a small pile of belongings strapped to their mule ‘Willie Makeit’ they walked together for two years. The brothers were ambushed by bandits in Afghanistan in October 1972 and John was shot and killed. After recovering from his wounds, Dave continued his journey with another of his brothers, Pete. When their third mule died in Australia, a schoolteacher named Jenni Samuel volunteered to tow their belongings with her car. Covering 14,450 miles and using 21 pairs of shoes, Dave and Pete ended their journey in 1974. Jenni and Dave later married.

I’m not sure I would have lasted wearing out ONE pair of shoes! 21 is some feat (pun intended)

Sometimes what we are working towards is not a straightforward and obvious journey. I know that God is leading towards a travelling ministry as a speaker and worship leader. But at the moment, I can’t see a clear route there! God gave me 4 small children and a love of Great Britain. But, if I’ve heard right, He will guide me and lead me.

What are your goals? What are you working towards? Are you determined, or do you throw the towel in at the sign of the first blister?
I have to believe in what God has told me and in what He is declaring over me, even if other people criticise me or do not believe it is wise or possible.

If James Dyson had listened to some people around him, he would have only ever invented a small landing craft or a ball-barrow As it is, he now owns 439 worldwide patents on all of his technological advances.

Having a GOD idea – together with the determination His spirit gives – is a winning formula. He should patent it.