Both Worth the Wait and Stand Tall are sold out at present. There is a revised and updated version of Worth the Wait Book and DVD to come out in 2010, following Jason's marriage..it will probably be called"It was worth the wait!"

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We cannot become what we need to become
by remaining what we are.
Max De Pree, Leadership is an art.



I love movies. They inspire me, motivate me to reflect on my life, move me to tears and at other times make me laugh. Sometimes they are a form of escape for me - not that I have anything to escape from on any serious level (Sure, there is that girl who I hastily gave my number to who seems to pop up by coincidence at the same places that I go to - even interstate but it's under control, and that's another story!), but I like the fantasy world that's created in movies, a place where the unexpected can happen, a place where something extraordinary can take place. The truth is I think we all desire something special to happen in our lives - something that affects us in such a personal way that it resembles a dream you had or something that "just happens in the movies". Maybe it's the dream relationship where you find your soul mate in a love that lasts forever, or maybe you are the hero of a sporting team that scores that crucial goal to win the game; maybe it's raising a family, or it's making that deal that pulled your company out of a potential bankruptcy which in turn affects the livelihood of many workers. Deep down we all desire to do something special. Why is it then that so often so many of us fall short and settle for way less than what we were really capable of?

We were designed for greatness - to be conquerors and to take ground that was predestined for us to take. Ground that should be ours. Ground that could be ours. Ground that can be ours if we know how to claim it.

Every year millions of dollars are left unused, wasted in bank accounts all over the world. The cash remains unclaimed because people are unaware of what has been left behind for them and what is rightfully theirs. Lotto winnings, dormant superannuation accounts - imagine living this life in ignorance of the fact that you had financial resources available to you to help you along the way. What a waste! Similarly, though, within each of us are gifts, talents, and creativity which remain untapped until we learn how to claim them and turn our potential into reality.

Getting back to my love for movies.When we were younger, my brother, Paul, and I lined up for hours for the opening of Star Wars, equipped with light sabres in one hand and chocolates (all-important for sustenance) in the other. Even at the ripe age of thirty I queued for what seemed like an eternity for Lord of the Rings, pushing and shoving diehard teenage Mr Frodo impersonators out of the line, spilling their soft drink and popcorn whilst claiming ever so politely that "I was here first - I was merely at a toilet break." I have no shame, but boy was it worth it. So you can imagine my excitement when I scored an invitation to a screening of a movie in Australia at the home of Bruce Davey, producer of Braveheart who heads up Icon Films in partnership with Mel Gibson. I contemplated camping myself outside his doorstep a couple of days beforehand with my phone switched off, just in case he had changed his mind and pulled the pin on the preview screening. I had my excuse lined up: "So sorry, Bruce - I've been flat out and didn't get the message." He'd have to let me in then, plus I'm bigger than he is! You think I'm kidding? Seriously, I thought about it, which kind of puts me in the same category as the girl I gave my number to.

The day had arrived with no renege, or not to my knowledge anyhow (I did turn off my phone a day in advance). I stood in Mr Davey's house in awe of the big man that he is. I stood in awe of all of his accomplishments, in awe of the breathtaking view, the design of the house, the cut sandwiches which sat so welcoming on the kitchen bench top (oh how I prayed they were for us), but there was one thing that stood out even more to me - something that had probably made the most beautiful view I've ever seen run a distant second: the Academy Award for Braveheart. I was speechless. Tears began to well up within me as I recalled my favourite scene in this, my favourite movie of all time - let me take you there for a moment.

William Wallace is about to launch Scotland's assault on the English army after many years of betrayal and murder to his homeland. He has many obstacles in his way. Aside from being clearly outnumbered by the English army, he needs to convince Scotland's men that this is a cause worth fighting and, more probably, worth dying for. You can smell the fear, the lack of enthusiasm, the lack of hope from failed promises and from dreams that were lost long ago. But Wallace is not deterred - he sees with his eyes of faith - he calls things that are not as though they were. He calls men warriors and treats them like warriors, though to everybody else - to the English and even to themselve - they are not. He believes in the value of his country and stirs his men with a passionate speech to consider what is at stake: their families, their lives, their freedom. He poses the question to a weary and disheartened makeshift army: "Will you fight?"

A battle awaits
This movie spoke to me in so many different ways. It caused me to look inward, to search my heart, to think about the journey I was on and where it was taking me, to evaluate my motives for the things I was doing. At other times it caused me to look upwards, to know like William Wallace where my true help came from. But above all, it made me realize more than anything that though I am not involved like he was in a physical fight, I am nevertheless involved in a battle to become the person that I was destined to be.

I believe we are all in a fight. Whether we know it or not, whether we participate or not, whether we are gaining ground or not is another issue. What's certain is that we are in a fight. It's my suspicion that many of us are not really aware of the battle and what lies at stake. We are held captive, prisoners to doubt and fear with little hope for the dream we once had. Like the Scottish army when faced with the prospect of war, we are not willing to risk what we have, even though it is but a shadow of what could be ours. We have learned in life to accept our place of relative comfort and, like them, we too when asked of our intentions to fight, initially respond with "NO!" We will run and we will live.

Where in our lives did we lose the will to fight?

The writings of Homer
I get inspired by all types of movies, television shows, poets and writers, and the sayings of Homer have particularly impacted me. He spoke once to his son about his aspirations and dreams as a young man and with a great sigh he remarked, "I too thought I would accomplish much until the weight of the world crushed my spirit." Now before you think, "Wow - I knew Jason Stevens was a good athlete and well-read, but to quote the writings of Homer - I'm impressed!" Before you go there, realize I am talking about that great modern ambassador for fatherhood and for work ethics - Homer Simpson. Whilst watching this particular episode I remember thinking, "How true." Thinking back to my school days, so many of my mates had so much potential within them, yet seeing some of them now, I can't help but think there was so much more for them. I've often asked myself, "Are they the person they were destined to be?" But it's not just them. I came to a point in my life where I asked myself that very same question.

What exactly did Homer mean by "the weight of the world crushing him?" I believe he was talking in general about the pressures we face from the world in which we live. Although this world has so much to offer, it can also be our greatest hindrance. The world includes people's opinions and expectations of us, their attitudes towards us, or the mould that is set for "people like us" (whatever that is). The world's voice often sends us a strong message to stay and think inside the box, never to back yourself and take the risk, never to dare you to become and have all you could ever imagine. The world often says, "This is not meant for you." Sometimes this message is strong; other times it is subtle.

Either way, its aim is to limit or prevent you from reaching your potential and steal from you what could be a great life.

While people may be against us, sometimes it is situations that are thrown our way. Difficult circumstances can leave even a determined, motivated soldier discouraged and wounded. We need to learn to understand when we're in the thick of a battle and keep standing until we reach the goal.

The world also houses our fiercest enemy, an enemy that if left up to its own devices can rob us of every desire your heart ever had - the enemy of self. The enemy of self has a power to place limitations on us - sometimes even unknowingly - and if we are not careful we can end up becoming our worst hindrance.

We are in a battle to become who we were destined to be. Maybe you're at the bottom of the ladder; you need to know that this is not your final destination but it is an important stage of the journey. If your ears are attentive, you will learn some of the most important lessons in preparation for the success that is to come. Success without a strong foundation is a recipe for disaster. Or maybe you have achieved a level of success in your life but deep down you think there may be more; there is, and right now there is no room for procrastination. The time to act is now. On the other hand, it's quite possible that you have achieved everything your heart has ever desired; understand that there is still more in store for you because complacency is a dangerous place to reside. There are always new heights to reach, greater depths to the relationships around you, and if you are looking, there will always be someone in need of a helping hand.

Enter the arena
It's time to pick up your sword and shield and enter the arena, but first you will need to ask yourself some tough questions. Will you make a decision in your heart that you want things to be different? Do you want to take the ground that has already been prepared for you to take? Will you take time out to dream? Are you willing to pay the price to have it? If so, the adventure has begun. You are positioning yourself to discover that a life of adventure, which you had once thought was hidden from you, has actually been hidden for you. This new life will bring you a joy and satisfaction beyond anything you can ever ask or imagine, but one thing is for sure - if you enter into this battle, it will not be easy. There will be times of dissatisfaction and discouragement; times when your feelings are pushing you to give up, times where compromise seems so appealing and taking second best would seem like wisdom. There will be times when the sacrifice just plain hurts. When this happens, and it will happen, you need to stop and dream again. Reflect on what you are fighting for and count the cost of this battle. I am encouraged by the motto that used to hang on my old school's banner "finus, coronate, opus" - the end will crown the work.

Every person dies -
There are three ways to live.

The first way is a place well under your potential - the place of captivity. It's a place where you have had no real victory in your life. It is an unstable way, based on no real conviction or foundation. It's the place in life that William Wallace was talking about when he said, "Every man dies, not every man really lives." It's a place where relationships in your life are ordinary at best, where work is a drudgery because deep down you know you're not doing what you love doing, a place where financially you're always struggling to make ends meet. Whilst we may find ourselves in this place for a season in our life, it's not supposed to be the permanent place of dwelling.

The second way to live can be called "the permissible way" - it's better than the first. You're not exactly struggling but you're still underachieving and dissatisfied to a certain degree. You are not living the dream you once had, but you are "keeping up with the Joneses" and you've found some comfort there. Still, you live with the nagging thought of "what could have been" and that there must be more.

I had the honour of representing my country and played fourteen seasons in a game considered to be one of the most physical in the world. It has everything: speed, skill, endurance, heavy physical contact. To play this game takes a full commitment of your body and soul - and even when you have given everything there is no guarantee of survival. Then there are the injuries. I recall the opening moments in the 1993 Grand Final playing with the St George dragons against the Brisbane Broncos. I was nineteen years old, playing the biggest game of my career with an opportunity to make a mark against a team full of the best of the best. Within one minute of the game, I made a tackle with a team mate in which we drove the best forward on the field backwards in a thumping tackle. As I got up from the ground, something didn't seem right. I continued on, full of excitement and adrenaline, unaware that I had split my finger off the bone. I had received a compound dislocation, which in layman's terms meant the bone had protruded through the skin and that my grand final dream was over. But apart from injuries, there's also the cold reality that there may be someone bigger, stronger, faster and more skilful than you. There are rarely ever any guarantees.

I have trained with people who have pushed themselves on the training paddock, having half the given talent and size of other players, in a desperate attempt to make the cut. They fall short, but I have full respect for these guys. If we were in a war I would want them by my side. These people can live with themselves, they can sleep at night knowing they did all they could, physically and emotionally - they left no stone unturned. Even though they didn't get their names in papers and never got the big contract, their attitude was inspiring.

One mate said, "I don't know if I am good enough, but I'm not going to give up until I do." And then there are others - players who because of their size and natural talent make the cut before it's chosen, yet deep down they finish their time with the regret that they never reached their potential. These people might feel as though their life is "okay", and they are still better off than the first level. But it doesn't change the fact that it's an unspoken tragedy.

We all know people who have had a great head start, with an abundance of talent, intelligence and resources, yet never produced the kind of results they were capable of. It's the kid at school who rarely had to study and at exam time would top the class almost effortlessly. Naturally, he had the goods, but later when schoolwork required research and a sacrifice of his time, he is found wanting. Years later he finds himself living at a place well below his capability. Or it's the businessman who through contacts gets the initial promotion, but who lacks the drive to push on and climb the ladder to take advantage of the favour that he has on his life. Talent is great, but it takes courage to turn a natural gift into lasting success.

There was one friend at school who, as far as I was concerned, had it all. Looks, sporting ability, a creative writer, and he seemed to do it all effortlessly. I would have loved to have had all of his natural talent. I would also have loved to have dated his girlfriend at the time - I mean she was all that … different story. But unfortunately he never took responsibility for his future and rested instead on his past records. At school I was the kind of person who had to study very hard to get where I wanted to be. I am not saying I was slow either, but I would say my desire to do well outweighed the natural talent that some of my friends seemed to have.

It's encouraging to know that even if you feel underdone with your particular gifting or skills, if you have desire you will succeed eventually and you will be in a position to live the best life possible. Even if you don't make it in the field of your initial choice, with desire, a door that closes just means in your thinking that another is waiting to be opened. Desire means that you are committed to starting again. Nothing can replace desire or stop it.

I'm glad I studied hard at school. I scored within the top 3% of my state and got into one of the most prestigious universities in Australia to complete a Bachelor of Commerce degree. I also secured a contract at a young age with one of the best rugby league teams in Australia with the proudest tradition. One respected journalist wrote an article on me with the title "The changing face of rugby league " focusing my efforts to combine my talents as a sportsman with my academic gifting. I want to live in the perfect will for my life, and making a decision to give your utmost in all you do puts you in a position to be in this place. I believe it is crucial to dwell permanently in this place. In every area of your life - relationally, financially, in your career, and regarding your spirituality - there is a destiny beyond your imagination if you choose the higher way. So much good will come knocking at your door that you won't have to chase rewards - rewards will chase you down and you will live in a place of joy and satisfaction like never before. And it's not just for you. Your choices will impact people closest to you - your family, friends and even potentially bigger audiences. Who knows how powerful your influence may be?

Behind every promotion, elevation and achievement there is a purpose. I saw an interview with Bill Gates and his wife Melinda when they were visiting a third world country where they had invested heavily to see some changes take place and to restore basic human rights such as clean drinking water. Melinda commented that her mother had told her something long ago that impacted her greatly and influenced the work Melinda and her husband were doing. She told her that to whom much is given, much is required. The success of Bill and Melinda Gates in the business world has translated into wealth and has become someone else's breakthrough, someone else's opportunity for life. This challenges me and puts a whole new perspective on things. It makes me realize that other people are actually dependent on me becoming all I can be. So I ask you, with so much ground to take, with so much at stake, and with victory in your sight - will you fight?