It’s too easy to get so caught up in our reality and forget about other people’s needs, especially those not directly in our social or professional circles. However, it’s been proven repeatedly that real joy comes from helping others, not just focusing on ourselves.
Leaders often get into trouble when they try to be someone they are not. Your job is to be the best YOU that you can be. Trying to be someone else is inauthentic. You can improve, but don’t forget your values, passions, and identity. Everyone needs to be true to his or her own voice.
Some things are usually unacceptable, despite the circumstances. There is a reason all religions are typically based on a foundation of common morality and expected ethical behavior. Whether the leaders of these religions live up to their own principles is another issue altogether.
We all need to be honest with ourselves about what motivates us and the cost/benefit of this behavior. Are our actions inspired by positive thoughts or negative ones? Are the results we are getting worthwhile and fruitful or uninspiring and ephemeral? Are we getting closer to where we want to be or further away from it? What is the impact of our behavior on those closest to us?
I don’t often write about spiritual or faith issues in my blog because for the most part I believe these are personal decisions. There are also many other people more capable and better equipped than me to address the issue. I’m comfortable in my own beliefs and hope you are in your own as well. However, I do feel strongly that there is a direct correlation between an individual’s belief structure and their level of happiness and capacity for resilience. Life is much more meaningful if you believe you are part of something bigger than yourself and there is a reason for being here beyond survival and personal comfort.
Not every audience member is ready to hear what you have to say, but say it anyway if you believe in your message. Sometimes a little resistance is good. It forces you to work on your delivery and thought process. It also means you may be challenging conventional wisdom and forcing people to get outside of their comfort zone. A leader’s job is not to make everyone happy or validate individual misconceptions but to put a spotlight on the truth as he/she sees it.
Your life will contain moments that test your values and present you with difficult personal decisions. How you make these decisions can end up making an enormous difference in your life. Do you choose to do what is right or what is most convenient? Will you be honest or untruthful? Do you factor in the impact of your decision on others or not? Do you take ownership of your actions or cast blame on others? Do you have a win-win mentality or a win-lose mentality? How much is enough, and at what cost? You need to pay close attention to what truly motivates you!
Not everyone is destined to reach the summit or lead a luxurious lifestyle. In fact, it is impossible to make such achievements happen from a socioeconomic standpoint. But in all cases, the people who got there wouldn’t have made it without the hard work of many others. No one ever achieves success alone, despite what some books or talking heads may want to tell you.
We are all the architects of our own lives, at times struggling with the design challenges; however, the adult experience we build is our own. Happiness is a choice, not just an outcome. It should also be an expectation.
We may have lost our way, but we can reroute and get back on track, and it starts with you and me. We know the answers. To reach our destination, we must navigate the challenging terrain of self-deception and conceit. The lessons and values we must embrace are widely known, time-tested, implementable, and lead to better results.
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