Simmons speaks on A Life of Excellence

Richard Simmons addressed the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce on topics from his new book, A Life of Excellence, at a luncheon on April 24.

A Mountain Brook native and frequent public speaker, Simmons works with businessmen in the development of their faith through formal Bible studies, teaching and counseling through the Center for Executive Leadership.

In the book, Simmons speaks to shrinking the gap people experience between the the life they aspire to and the life they are living today.

To achieve excellence in life, Simmons prescribed three principles. First, according to what he calls the Principle of the Path, everyone is on a pathway formed by past decisions that is leading to a destination. In today's culture, he said, people face obstacles to their desired path: leaning to hard on intentions, focusing on pleasure and happiness over wisdom and learning, and looking for shortcuts.

"The life of excellence is a long, patient quest that doesn't come quickly," he said.

The second principle was that of the vector. Small changes make a big difference over time, particularly if they are made in a a strategic direction, he explained. Finally, according the Daffodil Principle, people learn to move toward goals and desires one step at a time and learn to love the doing of them.

"You must multiply small increments of time by the small pieces of effort," he said.

To learn more about Simmons' work, visit thecenterbham.org. To learn more about the Chamber, visit welcometomountainbrook.com.