This morning I’ve been working on a speech that I’ll be delivering to a group of ladies with developmental disabilities. I was approached by a lady who has a daughter receiving services from an organization for the developmentally challenged right here in Cincinnati. My speech is part inspirational, part motivational and entirely geared towards empowering them with insights that will elevate their lives. As I worked on this, the thought came to my mind, what exactly is the purpose of public speaking? I see no other end expect the desire to change lives positively.
More than ever before, we live in a day when people are easily discouraged by the pressures of modern life. While society has progressed in many ways, there has still been an increase in the demands that life puts on us. In almost every aspect of life there is a need for radical change. It’s almost as if we need a revolution to see things go ‘back to normal’. Poverty, suicides, abortions, crime, drug use, discrimination and many other ills are on the rise. If society will advance beyond these issues, we need more speakers who will inspire people to change their lives. We need more empowerment than entertainment. Let every speech, from now henceforth, be about changing lives.
Yesterday I wrote about three essential traits that I would like to follow up on. One could argue for so many different traits and keys as being essential or crucial to life. My choice for these particular qualities and keys is driven by the fact that they have worked very well for me. Here are the crucial keys for success in life:
Imagination
No one ever changed their circumstances in life without some measure of imagination. Imagination births vision and empowers one’s motivations. Good imagination is a sign of an awakened mind. An awakened mind is the factory of ideas and insights. Ideas and insights are the raw materials for a better life.
Commitment
Commitment, whether to a purpose, a person, faith or any other pursuit in life, is essential for success in that particular pursuit. Commitment is the magnet that draws one closer to the realization of his or her ambitions and aspirations. Show me a person who is committed to what he or she is pursuing and I will show you a person who will achieve tremendous success.
Joy
Joy is that quality that births within us a sense of amazement about life. Joy enables us to enjoy what we do and find meaning in the daily routine of life. Having a joyous attitude is crucial to life. It neutralizes the pain of life and enables us to tap into the abundance of life. Joy enables us to experience the fulness of every day life.
There are many different traits that are essential for a better life but when it comes to truly winning in life, there are three crucial traits that one must embody. These are knowledge, passion and humor. Let’s take a quick look at each of these:
Knowledge
Knowledge is the key quality that enables a man or woman to realize his or her true personal potential. Knowledge sets one apart since it enables you to demonstrate higher capacities and capabilities. The difference between one’s current state and a future desired state is normally bridged by the quality of one’s knowledge. Knowledge lifts you up from the pit to the pinnacle of your desires.
Passion
Passion separates between the committed and the non-committed. Passion is the one essential quality that enables the realization of dreams and desires. Passion births zealous commitment in an individual and enables him or her to stay focused on the quest for a better life. All revolutions throughout the history of mankind have always been brought about by passion individuals.
Humor
Humor is an essential trait because it provides us with the motivation to continue striving through situations that may not fully be desirable. Having a sense of humor about life is essential. Fun, excitement, enjoyment, laughter and happiness are key pieces in teh puzzle of life. Life offers us many unique experiences and challenges. Humor enables us to ride these unique experiences and challenges without losing motivation.
In my reading over the past few days I have been inspired by the call for genuine heroes in the material I have read. T.D. Jakes, in his book, Naked And Not Ashamed, says “We need heroes today. We need someone to believe in and look up to. We need someone who has accomplished something to give us the courage to believe in the invisible and feel the intangible.” This reminds me of the quote from Thomas Jefferson who said, “God grant that men of principle shall be our principal men.” The earnest cry of society today is for heroes to emerge. Men and women of priciple who will not be swayed by the currents of today’s social problems. Charles Swindoll in his book, Living Above The Level of Mediocrity, has said, “We need heroes. I mean genuine heroes, authentic men and women who are admired for their achievements, noble qualities and courage…. The kind who model excellence when no one is looking or for that matter, when half the world is looking.” That’s the need of the hour. That we may have leaders arise who will take socity to a whole new level. Let us put aside personal ambition and develop the qualities that will make us noble leaders for a generation that dearly needs good leadership.
Today is International Women’s Day. A huge thanks to all the women who make life better for the rest of us. May all women today experience the gratitude of having peaceful homes, loving husbands, respectful kids and good neighbors. May working women experience the joy of recognition at their workplaces. Please take some time to let the women in your lives know that you appreciate everything that they do. Here’s a link to learn what’s being done for women globally.
Nothing brings greater results in life than having a positive attitude. Your attitude sets the pace for your experiences. You may not know what kind of situations the day will bring to you but you can determine the attitude you will approach each of your experiences with. Your day is not determined by what happens to you. What happens to you is insignificant compared to how you will react to it. So, what kind of attitude will you bring to your experiences today? A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes. Choose to have a positive attitude and you will live extraordinarily - every day!
Each one of us has the capacity for leadership and contributing immensely to the world around us. Many times we cower because we do not understand the fullness of our potential.
I saw this video on youtube about navigating leadership that should provide us with the inspiration to make a difference. This should provide us with the motivation to live beyond ourselves:
NAVIGATING LEADERSHIP: The Realm of Possibility
Today’s thought is a very simple one: NO COMPLAINTS! My wife saw this awesome show on NBC’s Today Show and is pumped up with the idea of not complaining about anything. May this idea spread far and wide!
A few years ago I heard someone talk about the need for Action TNT, meaning action Today, Not Tomorrow. I think the tape was on procrastination and how to avoid it. Today I would like to talk about three strategies for taking action TNT:
Take initiative
Initiative is the first step towards achievement. Many people lag in life because of procrastination. In order to realize our true potential, we must learn to take initiative when it comes to pursuing personal goals and objectives. Initiative separates the committed from the pretenders, it is the link that connects dreams with results.
Navigate decisions
Many people freeze when it comes to decision-making. Making a clear-cut decision is one of the toughest things any one could do. Decision-making stems from embracing change. Knowing how to navigate change is therefore a core competence that should be grasped completely. Learn to make good decisions and you will accomplish great things in life.
Take risks
Risk-taking is one of the most feared competencies but it must be mastered because there can never be reward unless risks are taken. When it comes to risk-taking, our only fear should be the fear of not taking risks. Having an intuitive ability for stepping out and taking risks is the key to attaining results.
Let’s take action Today … Not Tomorrow!
Life is full of transitions. We all experience moments in life when we have to make transitional changes. Right from birth to our final resting, it’s all about transition. It’s the transition from the womb to the world, from the bassinet to the crib, from home to school, from high school to college, college to career and so on. The successful navigation of transitions is a tough thing. Transitions can either lead to an abyss or bliss. It all depends on how you handle it.
Earlier today I watched a show on ESPN in which former Broncos quarterback, John Elway, talked about the difficulty he had in making the decision to leave the NFL. He struggled with the decision and even after he made it, he went into the most trying time of his life. After listening to him, I now understand why Packers quarterback, Brett Favre, has had a hard time walking away from the game. It’s tough making that decision to move on.
Transitions are difficult. Understanding the three elements of trnsition is the key to moving on. These are closure, limbo and advancement. Closure signifies the end of one stage. It is the point at which we have to let go of the former. Many people have a hard time handling closures but it is important to understand that everything changes. That knowledge itself guarantees you two-thirds of the victory during transitions. The other third is found in understanding the other two elements. The second element is limbo. This is a trying time because you haven’t quite moved out of closure and are yet to experience the new thing. The most important skill here is that of letting go of the former. New attitudes have to be shaped. New concepts need to be grasped. If this is done well, then your progress to the third element of transition - advancement - is secure. Advancement is when you have completely put behind the old and have successfully navigated your way to a better life. At this stage, you can look back and say, “Wow! I’m glad I made that change!” May your transitions be fruitful!
I heard this quote the other day and really loved it: “The best way to be somebody is to be yourself”. I had never heard it said like that before. The best way to be original is to avoid being a cheap copy. This is the key to authenticity. People delight in knowing that they are associating with a real you instead of a cheap copy of someone else. Being yourself builds credibility and engenders respect from those who rub shoulders with you. When people experience the real you, they are left with an experience unlike any they have ever had before. Go on… be yourself!
When I was six years old my parents took me from the city to the country where I had to undergo a traditional African circumcision ceremony. I learnt so much during that initiation and I share most of it through my speech, The Hero’s Journey. One of the things that happened was that the entire “class” of initiates was given a name to identify them. The name gave the entire class a sense of oneness and purpose. We, in a way, became a support team for one another.
In very much the same way, we need support teams for every day life. The age of the lone ranger is forever gone. Teaming up with others enables a shared sense of vision for the future. The team is able to develop goals that are bigger than individual goals and can easily be realized. Being part of a team builds confidence and spreads responsibility. It also allows people within the team to mentor each other.
Teamwork makes the future workable; it makes the dream work! Nothing generates more energy in an organization than a team that is cohesive. It’s true that there is no “I” in team but there is a “me” in team. Embrace your team and lift it to a higher level!
