The great thing in this world is not so much where we are, but in what direction we are moving. Oliver Wendell Holmes
The extraordinary success of some of the movers and shakers of this world who have had humble beginnings like a George Washington Carver or A PJ Abdul Kalam are torchbearers who have reinforced the belief that it is what you do with yourself that matters more than how you started your journey. While some of these names evoke awe and admiration there are millions of such individuals who are less well known but just as influential because of their ability to translate their vision into transformation of the society.
At this point anyone reading this post will wonder if they have achieved much in comparison to the movers and shakers that they have heard of. Pause and look back at your own upbringing and growth. If you have added value to what your childhood, schooling and education have provided you with, take a bow for that in effect confirms the fact that you have been successful in your chosen field of endeavor. The yardstick for measuring your success is not the material wealth, fame or influence you wield but the values, relationships and goals that you are committed to.
The simple reality check for values is checking how quickly and soundly you sleep at night. As it is correctly said a clear conscience is the best pillow. If your values are geared to meeting the exacting standards of morality, ethics, honesty and transparency you can be sure that you will never compromise them no matter what the compulsions, pressures and temptations. Relationships are not merely and aggregation of the friendships developed but its true measure is in counting the enemies made. You may have very few friends but if you have no enemies you can look at your relationship as being in the top percentile. If your values are in place and relationships very strong, it automatically follows that you are pursuing the right goals. However to double check if your goals aligned to your value systems simply ask yourself if you are fearful, ashamed or indifferent to the goal you have set for yourself.
Finally we do the ultimate test to ensure that you are moving in the right direction. That is like knowing where to go but being unsure of the right way to reach it. The GPS that you must use to go in the right direction is your heart and conscience which must be sensitive enough to nudge you on to the right path lest you stray. In addition it helps if one also calibrates the value system and fine tunes the bandwidth of economic returns.
Remember: “I seldom end up where I wanted to go, but almost always end up where I need to be.” Douglas Adams
Try this:
- If you were to choose between the following which ONE would you choose (there are no right or wrong answers amongst the choices)
- Lots of fame but no wealth
- Lots of wealth but no intelligence
- Lots of intelligence but no wealth or fame
- Choose a historical personality as a role model. Now enumerate 5 qualities of the person that endear him/ her to you. Can you identify at least 2 weaknesses in the person?
This post is courtesy www.actspot.com
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