Why Be Great?

23 May Why Be Great?

Posted at 00:00h in Character by admin

Written by Lifebook Vice President, Sandra Garest

Why focus on excellence and continuous improvement?

Sure it takes effort, discipline and gigantic focus to live an extraordinary, world-class life.

So why do it?

Because it makes you feel good, which makes it all worth it.

It all centers around this big idea…

Playing below your potential makes you feel bad about yourself.

Operating below your potential diminishes your self-respect. Limiting what you can do/be/have sucks the energy out of your spirit and knocks the passion out of your heart.

Life can be counter-intuitive. The things that we most resist carry the seeds of our greatness. The stuff that makes us feel uncomfortable is what makes us stronger.

The “easy road” only gets you to a place called disappointment and regret.

Maslow told us that the need to fully express ourselves and become what we are capable of being is a FUNDAMENTAL human need – just like breathing, eating and sleeping.

“If you deliberately plan on being less than you are capable of being,

then I warn that you’ll be unhappy for the rest of your life.”

Climbing your personal and professional mountaintop makes you feel good about yourself. It boosts your self-respect, heightens your self-image and fills you with energy, faith, and joy.

Achievement and getting superb things done with the gifts that are within you is one of the best ways to fill your life with more happiness.

Growth matters. It’s what ultimately makes us feel fulfilled.

It energizes us (even when it’s uncomfortable, as most growth is). It transforms us into who we were born to be… who we truly are.

Being great – even when it’s not easy to do so – is a brilliant move that yields handsome rewards… always.

Facing Fear and Challenges: The Call of Mediocrity

The challenging chapters of our lives just might be when we are most alive. And they always bring tiny miracles, if you are awake to them.

Fear can be scary. When it surfaces, we are wired to run, to avoid it, to consider it as a bad thing. This is simply not true.

In my mind, fear is beautiful. It is an opportunity, and a gift.

On the other side of every fear that is keeping you small is your natural power (and your authentic greatness).

To run from your fear is to run from the brilliance you were meant to be. A fear is nothing more than a doorway into the highest version of your highest vision. The things that scare you are spectacular opportunities to discover more of all you are meant to be.

No, fear isn’t bad. It’s wonderful. If you follow it, it leads to greater confidence, and self-respect. It promotes growth. It makes you better.

So if something comes up that causes you to feel like running/avoiding/resisting, don’t make a beeline for the door. Instead, show up like the leader you truly can be – and embrace the opportunity you’ve been presented.

Because what you resist will persist. And what you befriend, you’ll transcend.

LIVE FULLY NOW: Too many human beings postpone living

We say that we will live our best lives when we have more time or when we finish the pressing projects that are consuming us.

We tell those around us that we will be more loving and passionate when things slow down.

We promise ourselves that we will get into world-class physical condition and eat healthier food when we have a little bit more time or resources.

Yet, deep within us, each one of us knows that there will never be a better time to live our biggest life than now.

And if not today, then when?

A Ferocious Quest for Greatness

“Greatness is a way of life, a direction.

Every NBA player is remarkably talented, with a stellar résumé and physical gifts.
But it takes much more than that to find the degree of success they hope for.
I have to learn whether they want to be great, and if they do,
I encourage them to become ferocious in their quest for greatness.”
—Idan Ravin from The Hoops Whisperer

Idan’s word? GREATNESS. He only works with the best. Those committed to GREATNESS.

With *that* as the shared goal, they’re both willing to do the things that most people aren’t willing to do.

Here’s what Michael Phelps says about his coach,

“Bob’s philosophy is rather simple: We do the things other people can’t or won’t do…. Bob is exquisitely demanding. But it is with him that I learned this essential truth: Nothing is impossible.”