Having been on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list since June 1999, one of the world’s most notorious terrorists was finally caught and killed on May 1st.

Few freedom-loving people would argue with the idea that the world is a better place with him gone. 

There were many success principles at work in completing the mission. 

But the three that stand out to me are focus, commitment and perseverance.

The power of focus has been used since 1950, when the FBI first published their Top Ten List of most wanted. This allows law enforcement as well as citizens to focus in on these few rather than the thousands of dangerous fugitives that are wanted.

And there’s no question that the commitment of the FBI, our military and three presidents has been extremely high to capture or kill Bin Laden. Massive resources have been committed and deployed to eliminate him as a threat. The determination to achieve the goal was high.

And then there was persistence. For over 10 years, we worked diligently to gather intelligence, plan, attempt and eventually affect his demise.

Focus, commitment and persistence. And it worked.

It’s no different than any other important goal. These three principles will almost always prevail. 

What’s YOUR level of commitment to your top goals? How well do you focus on them and on ways to accomplish them? And how persistent have you been and are you willing to be in order to achieve your goals?

It’s worth thinking about—and being honest with yourself—about the answers.

What do you want? Why do you want it? And what are you willing to do to get it?

If you have the focus, the commitment and the persistence, you will surely win in the end. AND you will have grown in the process. You can’t beat that!

And in keeping with bin Laden’s sudden exit from the planet, let me share two quotes with you.

“When I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fall. Think of it—always.”

—Mahatma Gandhi

“I have never wished a man dead, but I will admit I have enjoyed reading a few obituaries.”

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