SELF-IMPROVEMENT

He innovated and improvised the choreography of stunts in the movie world. He dared to steer away from the typically stern, morally upright hero image created by his icon, the great Bruce Lee. He can be named as the father of comedic martial arts of the movie world for his humor mixed with kung fu. From being a “no one” to the second highest-paid actor in the world, he worked incessantly on his skills, improving himself each day thus to achieve unbelievable success. American filmmaker Quentin Tarantino opined that he was one of the greatest in the genre of “Physical Comedy”. A huge fan of Italian Duo Terence Hill and Bud Spencer, he was always compared to Buster Keaton for his adventurous action scenes. Jackie Chan, the Hong Kong-born Chinese stuntman, actor, and director who is renowned for his risky acrobatic stunts and engaging physical humor has worked meticulously on his skills and craft, day after day, to reach the pinnacle. Jackie Chan holds the Guinness World record for "Most Stunts by a Living Actor". He is focussed on self-improvement and consciously strived to be the leader in his field.

“There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self”, said Ernest Hemingway. Jackie Chan is a living example of the same.

Great leaders are always busy and focused in improving themselves. Personal growth is vital for them to become a better person and a better leader to guide their teams. Self-improvement for these leaders is a continuous process. They understand that self-improvement is the key to evolving in their eternal quest of leadership development thus building a stronger culture in their organization. Self-improvement, they believe, is the tool that aids in having a clear vision. They consistently seek opportunities for growth in terms of taking initiative, critical thinking, and problem-solving. They are constant learners. They tirelessly work on themselves to improve day after day with continued learning. They inspire, motivate, empower, and mentor their teams with their improved self. Great leaders are acutely aware that their personal growth equips them with improved performance in all their endeavors, and helps them become more resilient, adaptable, and emotionally intelligent.

Once there lived a young monk who, one day, climbed up a mountain where a hermit woman was meditating. A young monk visited her at her place.? Intrigued with finding her all alone on the mountain, the monk asked,?

“What are you doing here alone in such a solitary place?”

To which she replied:

“I have lots of work !”

“And how can you have so much work? I don't see anything around you here…?”, asked the monk.

“I have to train two hawks and two eagles, assure two rabbits, discipline one snake, motivate a donkey and tame a lion…..”, said the hermit woman.

“And, where have they gone that I don't see them?”, asked the monk.

“I have them all inside here within me…”, said the hermit woman.

“The hawks stare at everything that is presented to me, good or bad, I have to work on them to see only good things.?,

“The two eagles with their claws hurt and destroy, I have to train them not to hurt.?They are my hands”, continued the hermit woman.

“Rabbits want to go where they want, at the same time they do not want to face difficult situations, I have to teach them to be calm even if there is suffering or stumbling.?They are my feet. The donkey is always tired, stubborn and does not want to carry the load each time I walk.?

“The most difficult to tame is the "snake." Although it is locked in a strong cage with 32 bars, it is always ready to sting, bite, and poison anyone nearby. I have to discipline it...?That's my tongue. And I also have one Lion. Oh ... how proud, and vain, he thinks that "he is the king." I have to tame him. And,?That's my ego”, concluded the hermit woman.

The hermit woman was self-aware and was on a path of constant improvement.

“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better”, said Maya Angelou.

Learn and practice self-awareness. Be stringently disciplined.? Spend time seeking feedback, analyzing and acting upon it, as a part of self-improvement Learn and practice effective time management skills. Practice adapting fast to any situation. Choose goals that help develop your skills. Be a constant learner. Upskill to be relevant at every stage.

Remember, "There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that's your own self”, said Aldous Huxley. Invest in self-improvement to become a better leader.