Have you ever observed achievers? We tend to label them with lavish names like gurus, tycoons, great minds, geniuses, icons, idols and the list goes on. Like them or not, they are notable figures who have carved out a niche for themselves in their chosen endeavors cutting across all fields from spiritual leadership, political leadership, business innovation, interpersonal relations to literary laureates.
We admire them not because they appear larger than life but because a certain part of us wants to associate with them. This is evident when we hear people say “he is from my country,” “we were in the same class in college,” or “I once met her at the mall.” But a good look at these upwardly mobile folks will reveal that they all have certain things in common.
In Moving from Good to Great, we will find that the very things that define how far we go in any endeavor are determined by our belief systems. The things we believe affect what we do and how we act (our disposition) even in the face of challenges is a determinant of what we achieve on the long run. The bottom line is our belief system defines who we really are, for as a man thinks in his heart, so is he! What are the things you believe? It is true that whatever goes into a mind comes out in a life, so we are admonished in the scriptures to guide our hearts with all diligence and to constantly renew our minds that we may develop ourselves and escape conformity to perceived social standards.
The one thing good signifies is adequacy. But think about this, is adequate really good enough? What if there could be something more? I have always thought brilliance is “hitting the mark” while ingenuity is “being the mark.” Crossing borders from Good to Great requires not only the knowledge or know-how but also commitment- a passionate drive to add value and more than anything else, to make a lasting impact.
One of the things great minds have in common is a desire. Good folks have desires too, but the distinction is that great minds will not stop until they find ways to translate their desires into intent. They purpose to do something and give their full attention to the cause such that they move from mere men who have dreams to become forces to be reckoned with as a result of the quality of results they command. Little wonder T. E Shaw concluded that “All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible.”
The truth of the matter is that you have a dream so long as it stays within your heart, but why hold on to dreams if you do nothing about them? Surrender yourself, take a bold first step today and you will discover that most of our inner fears were baseless and unfound. Superman actor, Christopher Reeves, once said “So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable.” I strongly agree with him.
All men came with a default setting- Good. A cursory look at an account of the creation proves this. God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. The distinguishing factor is this- we all forge different paths in life. Which path are you on, the easy way or the right path? Commit today to travel the right path, and watch as your influence grows right before you because people are naturally attracted to the leader who is committed to a worthy cause.
The searchlight also reveals that great minds knew what they wanted right from the onset, and they went all out on the journey towards achievement. It might also interest you to know that they did not travel alone. They had people with them who assisted in making the journey worthwhile (translation: they went into relationships). The saying that a tree doesn’t make a forest is true and Einstein has this to say on relationships “If I see farther than my contemporaries, it is because I stand on the shoulders of men who have gone ahead of me.” Relationships are everywhere. This ubiquitous phenomenon is an undeniable fact and is what makes the earth what it is today- a large vessel comprising living organism continually engaging in seemingly complex interactions with one another.
Everything we can think of is in one or more relationships within its environment causing the planet to be a perfect example of a smart system which scientists are still trying to fully comprehend.
Next time, we will discuss key points in relationships and how to connect the dots in our everyday relationships.
Until next time, here’s a hearty cheers to our great lives.
Salute!