Seeking Greatness of Life? Consider these areas.

5-6 minute read

The word greatness is used to evoke inspiration and motivation. It is thrown around as if the word itself can endow a person with the meaning. The issue is each of us has our own narrative of what the term greatness means. I have conversations with many who do not feel as if that is a word or a feeling that applies to them. Where I feel people miss their greatness is that they have not really gone inside to that quiet inner place to define who they are and what they really believe. I have spent an immeasurable amount of time kicking in the doors of my mind; questioning and testing the beliefs that I carry into the world. As I better understand myself, I can better understand my fellow human. At the end of the day we are all more similar that we are different. If we can begin with the things that make us human and understand that the differences are what makes things interesting, then I believe that society as a whole can continue to find and operate on the greatness that is humanity. Take these five areas for example:

Physical

Life is busy...it is overwhelming at times, but do you really take care of yourself? Many unfortunately, do not. In order for you to be a beacon to those around you you must first take care of yourself. Think of the instructions given on an airplane... "In the event something happens, a mask will drop from the little compartment and you should put it on YOU first". They do not tell you to put it on your neighbor for a reason. You cannot really over an extended period of time take care of those around you without taking care of you.

• Action item: 1) Spend time defining what it means to take care of you. 2) Decide what actions are needed to effect that cause. Exercise is (as we all know) important. I started small and then increased. If that resonates with you, then start small; just execute.

Spiritual

This is not about religion, although it could be and will be for some. This is about connecting with the life force within you. Some people meditate, others will do yoga. It is simply a way to go inside and get to know yourself a bit better. It is a way to learn how to engage and interact with the world around you. It goes very far in helping to clear ones mind and find the peace that so many of us struggle with. If we can find that place where we can experience less frustration and conflict both internal and external, that has to be a good thing...Right?

• Action item: For me, I spend time in the early morning . Typically as the sun is rising and I sit quietly and spend time being grateful for the people in my life, for the opportunities in my life. It is a pretty awesome way to start a day. Try it, dedicate fifteen minutes spending quiet time with no outside distractions and remind yourself just how lucky you are. Then take up yoga or meditation as a way to go deeper into yourself and find a way to just be psychically still in this fast paced world.

Intellectual

The world is changing fast. The problem is that most people stop learning outside their chosen profession once they get out of college. If you are not keeping your mind sharp with the new changes in the world, you will soon be relegated to a limited life and have potentially fewer options compared to if you continued your learning journey. There are so many ways to keep learning. Podcasts, Books (yes they are still a thing), Audio books, YouTube etc. Pick a way to learn and dedicate yourself to it.

• Action Item: Choose five subjects that are interesting to you. Try and make sure they are OUTSIDE of your profession or work. This allows you to lift your head up once in a while to see what is really going on in the world. For me, I almost never listen to the radio anymore. I like you only have 24 hrs in the day. (read: 17 hrs to live) I listen much more than I actually pick up a book because it can be done simultaneously with something else, hence no radio, that was my trade.

Social

We humans are social creatures. Connection is something that we ALL crave from time to time. Not only that; success is rarely a solitary endeavor. To lead a wealthy life, connection and relationships are going to enhance it greatly. Choose to surround yourself with positive people that are seeking to be better people and not drag you down to their latest self imposed drama. It has been said that we become the average of the five closest people that we choose to spend our time with. I believe this to absolutely be true.

• Action item: Look around...who is in your inner circle. Are they open, generous in spirit? or are they criticizers and complainers? While this is a tough one because we all have that person that seems to just suck the air out of the room, it is important in the name of our personal greatness to be selective with the relationships that we spend most of our time with. People that want to see you succeed and lift you up, that excel at some things that you do not and you excel at things that they do not. The crux of the relationship (at least in my mind) is Respect, non-judgement, openness of learning, love, forthrightness and compassion. It can be tough to be a human and we need people around us that will urge us to grow and help us have confidence when we cannot not see it in ourselves.

Economic

This is the lens that I see the world through. Some of it is because of my chosen profession, but there is a reason it is my chosen profession. With money issues being a leading cause of relationship problems, depression, anxiety etc. ; it makes sense to work on our economics. Unfortunately many of us just accept what presents itself and we consider that our lot in life. I am here as living proof that it is not the case. Although this is not the article to get into it, I have been on all sides of the economic scale. I have had the issues stated above and I found my way through. That is why I believe it a noble thing that I do ... helping people make better decisions with their capital (not all monetary) in order to help reduce or eliminate their economic suffering and therefore have a better life (and that does not necessarily mean more money).

• Action item: Start with YOU. Your personal human capital (read: Hacks for "YOU" inc) is probably one of the biggest levers in creating economic sustainability that you have. It is also very probably a path to better understanding your greatness.

Each of us has greatness within... I believe it to be a characteristic of humanity. In seeking their personal greatness, one must first seek truth.

What is your truth about these five areas? Once you understand and have consciously chosen your personal truth then you can begin to live congruently. It is really hard to live congruently if you have defaulted into someone else's version of what greatness or truth is. Unfortunately we are told way to often by someone we love or by society at large... how to think, how to feel and what we should do with our lives. That (IMO) is not a path to greatness. Your greatness is individual and unique and I believe is already within you . It is your responsibility to be mindful enough to capture your truth and therefore your greatness.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Thanks for reading my post. If you enjoyed it please be sure to like it and share it. Have a wonderful day.

Lewis B. Walker Jr., is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ?, professional dedicated to the education encouragement and empowerment of individuals. He is a Financial Consultant with LPL Financial.

Markets are extremely unpredictable and nothing in my post should be construed as advice or a prediction in any form. The opinions are that of the author and are not indicative of LPL Financial or any other affiliations. Securities are offered through LPL Financial, member FINRA/SIPC. The investment products sold through LPL Financial are NOT FDIC insured. These obligations are not obligations, nor endorsed, recommended or guaranteed by any government agency. Insurance products offered through LPL Financial or its licensed affiliates. The value of the investment may fluctuate. The return on the investment is not guaranteed. Loss of principal is possible.                   

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP?, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER?, CFP? (with plaque design) and CFP? (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.

                   __________________________________________________

All photos were used through Creative Commons license or similar license from Pexels.com