The Great ones understand the power of humility

“If anything goes bad, I did it. If anything goes semi-good, we did it. If anything goes really good, then you did it. That’s all it takes to get people to win football games to you” – Paul ‘Bear’ Bryant

While average people never consider the magnitude of humility plays in the ability to solicit help from others, the pros have reverence for it. Professional performers know humility is one of the most effective approaches ever created to influence people. The case of humility, even for the best performers, is easily made. Even members of the world-class stumble and fall many times than they succeed. Humility is the natural order of the human condition, yet average people walk around clouded by ego and false pride. This is undoubtedly costing them dearly in relation to others. A braggart is essentially saying “I am better than you.” That’s not a good approach to a species who craves the feeling of importance. Champions recognize the damage done through boasting and adopt an attitude of gracious humility. The champion’s self-confidence is no less than a braggart’s. As a matter of fact, all the pros I’ve ever known have what I call inner arrogance. The difference: they don’t display this arrogance outside their own thought process. This supreme confidence is necessary to compete at the world-class level, but pros know how to conceal this well-earned, positive sense of self.

Action step for today

Ask this critical thinking question: “On a scale of 1 to 7, 7 being most humble, how humble do you appear to other people? If you scored less than 7, make a commitment to raise your score by at least one point right now by becoming more aware of how you appear to others. Start by moving from an ego-based consciousness to a spirit-based consciousness. Begin this process by making a list of ten things for which you are most grateful. Next, express gratitude to people in your life who have helped you succeed. Notice how this humble, spirit-based consciousness begins to attract and positively impact the people around you. Not to mention the impact it will have on you.

World-class Resource

Read Attitude of Gratitude, by M.J.Ryan