Positive Humility

“Humility leads to strength and not to weakness. It is the highest form of self-respect to admit mistakes and to make amends for them.”_John J. McCloy

 

We can find countless number of self-improvement materials teaching about principles of true success but we don’t have a lot that accurately emphasize the importance of humility on human achievements.

So, to make a contribution, I decided to compose this article. Now let’s start with a dictionary definition of the word.

Dictionary defines humility as the quality of being modest or respectful.  It is the perfect quietness of one’s heart.

When we think of a truly humble person, we are likely to have a mind-picture of modesty, calmness, fairness, tranquility and authenticity.

Humility is about thinking unassumingly of oneself, especially in relation to others. It is about not having an exaggerated sense of self-importance.

However, true humility is not servile but it is quiet confidence, and genuine consideration for the feelings and opinions of others.

Therefore, the right approach to humbleness is a realistic appraisal of one's own abilities, coupled with a sincere desire to use those abilities to cater for the need of others. This is what I mean by positive humility.

According to Jim Collin’s book, ‘Good to Great,’ one of the two powerful qualities of exceptional leaders is humility—the other one is mettle.

You see, positive humility has nothing to do with being a doormat, but everything to do with being a wise person.  In this sense, we cannot overestimate the value of true humility and its power both in social and business circle.

This means that for humility to be positive, courage should not be absent. Humility without nerve is what degenerates into being a pushover.

Stephen Covey agrees with Jim Collins completely when he concluded in his book, ‘The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,’ that the twin virtues of true success are humility and courage.

He said that humility is like the mother while courage is like the father. And the two combined in one person is the ultimate source of personal power.

Therefore you need the virtue of courage to ensure your sense of humility remains positive and beneficial to you and everyone around you.

Finally, if you want to imbibe the virtue of positive humility, keep in mind the beautiful words of a writer, Ralph Marston who wrote:

“Whatever you’re doing a sense of superiority will make you worse at it. Humility, on the other hand will make you better. The moment you think you’ve got it all figured out, your progress stops.

Instead, continue to advance and improve by reminding yourself how much more there will always be to discover.

Confidence is positive and empowering, but arrogance is deadly. Be confidence, but not at the expense of your respect for others.”

 

 

 

 

The Power of Commitment

“There are only two options regarding commitment; you’re either in or you’re out.”_Pat Riley

The dictionary defines commitment as devotion or dedication to a cause, person or relationship. It is the principal factor that determines the success or failure of any meaningful activity.

And the people who commit to such an activity are the ones who keep on pursuing what they want, as opposed to their peers who merely talk about what they desire. The committed ones make up the vital few segments of our society.

Unlike them, the uncommitted folks usually bail out on significant opportunities for one reason or another. They tend to allow urgency of life get in the way of what really matters; these are the wandering generalities in the society.

You see, the secret of behind the power of those pantheons that get the best of life is commitment, which at the core is a solemn declaration they truly value and believe in themselves.

In the book, ‘The Art of Doing: How Superachievers Do What They Do and How They Do It So Well,’ Camille Sweeney and Josh Gosfield explain ten qualities that are common among the super-achievers whom they studied and interviewed.   

Out of those qualities, the topmost two are: dedication to a vision and intelligent persistence. In the words of the authors: “Super-achievers are simultaneously deeply committed and deeply permeable.”

For our purpose, we want to focus on how we can develop the universal factor of success: dedication to a vision and intelligent persistence, which is a brilliant definition of the article’s theme: commitment.

How to Develop the Spirit of Commitment

“There's a difference between interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when it's convenient. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses - only results.”_Ken Blanchard

To develop your sense of commitment, you need to move from a plane of mere interest to a plane of burning desire. 

By that, I mean you identify the one thing you have been saying you want and decide whether it is not really important or it is truly essential. And if it is truly important to you and your future, then decide to give yourself unreservedly to that single aim until it is achieved. 

If you do this, your sense of commitment and self confidence will grow and others will begin to trust you since they have a solid evidence that you are no longer a dilettante but someone that people can count on.

You become a person with self-efficacy: someone with personal power to follow through on their words. And as a result, you can get great things that you seek because you have formed the habit of doing what needs to be done.

Remarkable character is built upon commitment. It is made of one’s responsible ability to deliver on one’s promises irrespective of the changing circumstances. And life's greatest rewards are reserved for those who habitually demonstrate this powerful principle—without fail.

Finally, always remember that nothing shapes our lives more than the nature of the commitments we decide to make.

Grit and Resilience

“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”_ Confucius

Today, I want to write briefly about the principle of grit and resilience.

To begin, let me consult my dictionary first.

Resilience is defined in the dictionary as one’s ability to recover quickly from setbacks while grit is defined as one’s determination or strength of character.

If grit is determination and determination is essential to perseverance; grit is therefore the essence of resilience. It is our ultimate source of staying power and an energy storehouse that we can tap to weather any storm under the heaven.

Grit gives us the necessary strength to keep moving when we could have been tempted to relax or surrender.  It is what enables us to take bold actions in the face of incredible challenges.

Grit enables us to display perseverance when we may have reached the end of our capacities. It enables us to keep firm in the face of adversity and extreme difficulties. 

The virtue of grit and resilience is what we can learn from a Bamboo tree, which can bend with the varying gusts of the wind but never give in to their consuming pressures. 

And like a Bamboo tree, we humans also have the ability to bounce back from any difficulties or challenges; we have the ability to adapt to all life’s circumstances. 

An expert on grit and endurance, Angela Duckworth tells us that in all super challenging contests; those who outperformed their peers are not those with superhuman natural endowments, but they are those with considerable measure of grit and resilience.

They are the ones with a type of mental toughness that allows them to bear the full burden of their responsibilities with determination and unshakable resolve. 

Now, to develop this precious quality, Amanda Ripley, the author of ‘The Unthinkable: Who Survives When Disaster Strikes and Why,’ has something to impart. She writes:

“People who have it tend to also have three underlying advantages: a belief that they can influence life events; a tendency to find meaningful purpose in life’s turmoil, and a conviction that they can learn from both positive and negative experiences.”

Grit is the foundation of resilience and a synonym for mental toughness. It is the fire within us that will refuse to die, no matter what we may be going through. It is what we can count on when all else fails.

It is our last trump card in using painful experiences to transform our lives and fulfill our full potential: It is our best antidote to all life’s stressors. 

With it, we can respond to any situation with resourcefulness, courage and creativity. Without it, we won’t go very far.

Next Performance

“All excellence involves discipline and tenacity of purpose.”

John Gardner

A long time ago, I watched an interesting movie’s scene where the main actor was put on the spot by a question from another person.

He was asked: which function is the most important (or most difficult) for a reputable performer?

And he answered after some brief thought that the most important performance was always the next one.

I paused to reflect on the answer for a while and I realized he was right.

You see, our greatest potential power resides in the next performance, always. 

However, the next action here doesn’t mean a performance that is coming after the work we are currently doing; but it does mean the one coming after the last. In this sense, the next performance also includes the present functionality—the work at hand.

An American journalist, Eric Severeid interprets the concept as courage. He said: 

“Tenacity is pretty fair substitute for bravery, and the best form of tenacity I know is expressed in Danish fur trapper’s principle: “The next mile is the only one a person has to make.”

This is so because no matter the nature or quality of your last performance, the next one can make a radical difference for better or worse.

One the right hand, if your last performance was great; you’re glad and ready to strive and make the next one a little bit better. 

On the left hand, if your last performance was lousy, you’re reflective and you have a higher chance of making the next one a lot better. 

So I repeat, the next functionality is always the most important one for a wise performer. The French microbiologist, Louis Pasteur proved this with his grand achievements and he confirmed this in his words when he said: “Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goal. My strength lies solely in my tenacity.”

If this concept is thoroughly understood and applied; it can truly take our game to a whole new level.

And true tenacity is what gives us the freedom to overcome both the fear of failure and the fear of success. With it, our best can be repeated—at the very least, and our worst can be significantly improved.  

When we embrace this idea completely, we instantly gain a slight edge over any game, any industry or in any competition. 

If you’re only as good as your next performance, then every performance is an opportunity to improve, and that means the good can always be made better and the bad can always be made good. 

Therefore, beware not to get too comfortable with great success and never get discouraged with a bad break. 

Know that every opportunity presents a new chance for us to do our best, going forward—irrespective of how we may have performed before.

Disciplined Diligence

“Diligence is not easy, but we can't reach our goals without it.”

Henry Cloud

What is the one thing we most need if we desire success in any significant area of life?

To answer that question, you can think about a particular quality that achievers in all walks of life have in common.

The answer I choose is diligence.

Though, there may be more than one answer, but the indisputable fact is this: disciplined diligence belongs to the highest rank of very few factors that are indispensable to winning in any area of life.

Diligence is an absolutely essential factor for peak achievement whether we are looking at science, arts, business and even religion.  

And the concept is quite simple to explain but pretty difficult to embrace for most people; it comes down to doing the critical things we need to do, in their order of importance, in a consistent manner, especially on the days we don’t feel like doing them. 

With all the natural talents in the world, we won’t get very far without the habit of disciplined diligence, which is largely about proactively doing the difficult things that we would ordinarily prefer to put off until later.

In other words, success in anything is less about wishes but more about our ability to keep doing the things that are fundamental to becoming our true best.

Diligence Turns Goals into Reality

“Human beings are capable of virtually limitless degradation; they are also capable of virtually limitless improvement and achievement. Success depends on goals and on diligence in pursuing them.”_Mas Oyama

If we want to turn our goals into reality, we need the habit of diligence; the discipline to do the things we know we should do, to the best of our ability, even when we thinly feel like doing them.

In this direction, Dave Ramsey, the author of, ‘the Legacy Journey’ explains the concept further in three simple sentences. He says:

“Work is doing it. 

Discipline is doing it every day. 

Diligence is doing it well every day.”

You see, disciplined diligence is the way to realizing our loftiest ambitions. 

Again, it is not about once in a while intensity of work but it is about unremitting consistency at the basic fundamentals of our game.

Once you understand and accept this truth, the next step is to inculcate the habit of diligence into the core fabric of your character. 

If you do, then you will be able to set and achieve almost any goal that you deeply desire.