Connecting to Greatness

Have you thought about what inspires you to achieve greatness? Does the thought of it excite and drive you, or does it overwhelm?

Napoleon Hill said, “If you can’t do great things, do small things in a great way. Don’t wait for great opportunities. Seize common, everyday ones and make them great.”

Each of us can take something we do daily, strive to make it better, and eventually arrive at greatness. As leaders, you can model the way and inspire your people to follow suit.

As an example, think about your listening skills. When you practice paying full attention to the people with whom you speak, this is a seemingly small action that can have enormous payoff.

Think about how you feel when someone pays close attention to what you say. You feel “heard” and you may feel a little more valued than you did before the conversation began. When people truly listen to each other, they leave the conversation feeling more acknowledged, and perhaps even more understood.

Since we’re surrounded by distractions, this is easier said than done. But if you practice this (or something similar) on a regular basis with the intention of getting better at it, over time, you will become great at it.

Pick one small everyday thing and make it great. One small mastery leads to the next, and before you know it, you’ll see the ripple effect and benefit of your efforts.

Have a great week!

“If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy and inspires your hopes.” – Andrew Carnegie