It has often been written that the world is somewhat like a baseball diamond with home plate, a pitcher's mound, three bases and an outfield. The people in the game are the players. When a player reaches first base, it is generally through his own efforts or through the error of a player who missed a fly ball, threw too late to first, or simply threw the ball away.

The move to second base or the next level in life is a little different. Sometimes, we move to second by the efforts of our parents and friends. Sometimes, an advocate within our company who encourages us, trains us, recommends us and becomes our mentor and benefactor helps us to second base.

The same is true of third base. It could be a fly ball that sends us to third, or a hit to right field. Again, we could get there because the pitcher walked the two batters who followed us, or it could simply be because we carefully watched the pitcher's windup and the way the catcher handled the pitch, and made a mad dash to third, "stealing" the base. At any rate, we're now placed in position to score.

The way to move on home most of the time is dependent upon our alertness, speed and the effort we are willing to expend. When the catcher lets a ball go past, or the batter hits a long fly ball to the outfield, in most cases, it will bring us home. However, effort on our part is always required. And the move from base to base gets tougher and tougher as we head for home plate.

The reason is that when we get into scoring position, all attention by the players is directed at keeping us on third base. The infield and outfield both move in; relays are set up in case the batter hits a ball to the outfield. The catcher is alerted to be particularly careful to tag the runner. In short, the opposition gangs up on us.

Many of those things are also true in life. We generally get our first job through a personal recommendation or because we've had a solid academic career or developed a strong work ethic as we were growing up. However, it takes a series of events and help from others, in most cases, for us to reach the top (home plate) in any profession. The physician has had great teachers along the way. The teachers themselves had teachers. The attorney had great legal professors who instructed and informed him or her about what to do.

Along the way, there was an individual who had a hand in building a character base upon which we could build long-term success. It could have been through scouting, our church or through the teachings of our parents and grandparents, particularly our mothers and fathers, each of whom taught us specific things not only by example, but by word and deed.

If the game of life is played fairly and to win, then, when you head for home plate, you will not only have the privilege of scoring and being successful, but you will be greeted by your family, friends, associates, teachers, preachers — those who had a hand in making you who you are and what you are. Yes, it takes a lot of people to get to the top, and the more closely you work with those who help you, and the more mentors you have along the way, the more likely you are to accomplish your objective.

Play the game fairly, and not only will you get to the top, but because you played by the rules to get there, you will have a long and pleasant stay. Not only that, but you'll have lots of friends to congratulate you on your success. Take that approach, and I'll see you over the top!

To find out more about Zig Ziglar and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate web page at www.creators.com.

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