My life was changed forever in a class to become a teacher of a personal development course.
At one point in the training, we each were asked to stand up and state, “I stand up for my greatness.” At that point, the facilitator determined if we were authentic in making this statement. No one left that class without authentically claiming their greatness.
I had no trouble doing this during the class. Reflecting, decades later, I realize that I have stood up for my greatness over and over again. Sometimes it took knowing what that really meant and how it was showing up for me at that time in my life.
For example, when I was a prep cook working in a restaurant, I became great after I became clear exactly what entailed being a great prep cook. At first, I thought it involved doing a better job at cutting vegetables, or being more exact in measuring ingredients. However, I took more time than others to do so. When it was reflected back to me that a great prep cook followed the recipe AND was fast at it, then I accepted the challenge. I let go of the idea that the food I prepped was better because I took more time, and accepted the head chef’s definition of a great prep cook: one who is also fast. I decided that if I could be fast in karate, I could be fast at prepping food. It took no more energy, but simply a different focus. I became fast and accurate: I was a great prep cook.
Since then, I have found that being on the road to greatness is not more painful or exhausting than being average, and it is how I want to live life anyway.
Therefore, how do I become great? How do you become great? How does anyone become great?
I received great insight from Jim Collins in his book Good to Great, published in 2001. While this book talks about companies and organizations, it applies to teams and individuals. Jim’s findings from research resonate to my experience in life, so after quoting him, I will answer in my own words.
Indeed, the real question is not, Why greatness? but “What work makes you feel compelled to try to create greatness?”
Perhaps your quest to be part of building something great will not fall in your business life. But find it somewhere.
We all are spending time on earth, and I’ll bet you want it to be time well spent, as I do. The deepest satisfaction comes from knowing we have participated in something excellent that contributes to something bigger than ourselves. This brings us meaning. And having meaning brings a great life. You might say real success is measured this way.
Our lives can be lived more simply and we can get much greater results from our efforts when we stay true to ourselves. And therein lies the core of greatness. When we are true to ourselves, we are not embracing outward ambition or a big bombastic personality. We humbly act in line with our inner conviction and will, knowing it is not our little selves that direct the show of our lives. But staying true to our inner guidance, we can have a steel will in doing what we believe from the inside is right.
Jim Collins uses the metaphor of the window and the mirror. When we look out the window and see the great people and circumstances that support us, we can’t take all the credit for where we are. When we look in the mirror to take responsibility, we don’t blame anything on what is outside the window.
What we see outside the window are people who are true to themselves, as well. They are the people that support us, and they are fulfilling the functions for which they have the talent and passion. Their greatness supports our greatness, and our greatness supports theirs.
We are also true to what is really going on around us. By clearly assessing the facts, we can know if we are going in the direction we want to go. By holding steadfast to our vision of something bigger than ourselves, we can change course without feeling defeated by what is going on around us.
When we understand what we can be best at, and have a passion for it, as well as understand a strategy to achieve it in the world, then we are on the road to greatness. Respecting that strategy, we can be consistent with that system, and yet exercise freedom while responding responsibly to the changing circumstances. There is a culture of discipline, without being tyrannical.
I find all of the descriptions of greatness come from an inner focus. When we stand up for our greatness, we are standing up for what is bigger than our personalities, and we live that out in our relationships, job, and purpose in life.
Great is what we cannot help but be when we are inner directed, follow that passion, and gain the skills to be effective in whatever we choose to do.
Greatness is at the core of who we are.
