Steppin' Stone - The Monkees

Lyrics:- 'You're trying to make your mark in society' - Hart & Boyce

Song Choice:- For those of you under 50, 'The Monkees', were a manufactured American pop group of the late 60's created by Bob Rafelson and Bert Schneider for a TV series of the same name. The musical acting quartet was composed of Americans Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork, along with British born actor and singer Davy Jones, the cute one and everyone's favourite.

As a seven-year-old boy, I thought they were simply the best thing ever and loved their whacky show. Dolenz described them as being 'a TV show about an imaginary band, that wanted to be just like The Beatles. Ironically, the actor-musicians became one of the most successful acts of 60s, and sold more than 75 million records worldwide, peaking in 1967 where they went on to outsell The Beatles and The Rolling Stones combined. See what you missed and take a trip back (literally) to the 'Summer of Love' right here .

It's a tenuous link but the 'Steppin' Stones' I'm interested in for today's blog are the 'Stepping Stones of Success' we use to reinforce a positive progression through life. You know, all the stuff we like to tell folk. The thing is, I'm not sure whether the 'Stepping Stones of Success' are a strong enough platform to take the full weight of the mental and physical payload their users demand. The constant overload of 'Personal Neediness' and 'Self Failure' makes a somewhat simple crossing into an impossible 'Wipeout' Course for most I find.

Why is that? And why is there such a need to over-complicate what should be a very simple path through life.

If you are struggling, surrounding oneself with the right people is a good first step. Here's a simple test to find out who is and who isn't worth it. Excluding your family - you find yourself in the shit and in need of help but only two people you know are allowed - whom are your two?

Cherish them, as they matter - no-one else does you'll find as the rest are 'Failure Enablers', 'Energy Vampires' or just people you know now but might not in the future. 

Believe me? Do the test and let me know what you think as eventually you'll find that most folk you think are great right now are only trying to make their mark in your society.

More tomorrow...

Rory Coleman - 989 Marathons - 243 Ultras - 14 Marathon des Sables
9 Guinness World Records - 8,506 Days' Alcohol Free

& 1 Inspirational Running Memoir - Get your copy here.

Location: Caerdydd, Cymru