Greatness. It’s a tough attribute to describe. Everyone’s vision and version seems to be a little different than the one before, and from the one about to follow. Like everything else in life, it’s all about perception. However, one of the things that seem to be part of every version of greatness is an over-arching commitment to leaving things better than when you found them.
There seems to be little wavering on this, at least in the people I’ve talked to. If you’re not adding value, there simply isn’t much point in doing whatever it is that you’re doing. Whether that’s a business venture, starting a family, or merely walking down the street. Add value to the world and the world will sing your greatness.
So what can you do? Here are some little things that will hopefully leave your world just a little bit better than when you found it:
Commit random acts of kindness:
One of the easiest things in the world to do is make someone else smile. Quite often, this can be done by doing the simple things in life: smiling at them, wishing them a good day, holding the door for them, saying ‘thanks’ when they hold it for you. Act goofy, be a kid. Making people smile leaves them better than they were lucky enough to run into you.
Pick up garbage:
Do you walk around and see trash lying on the streets or the sidewalk? What do you do, say or think when you see it? Most people complain, and blame the person who dropped it there. As I talked about in a previous article, complaining or blaming others simples doesn’t do any good; for you, them or anyone else. What will do some good is to bend over and pick up that piece of garbage and throw it in the trash. Just one piece of garbage each day, and the world will be a much more beautiful place than it already is.
Profit vs. Purpose:
Are you in business? If so, why? Do you add value to the world, or are you simply helping someone else (or yourself) earn a profit at the expense of others? You spend 1/3 of your life (possible more) working and earning a living. Make sure that you are adding value to people’s lives. If not, it might be time to consider a career change.
Go easy on yourself:
How often are you holding yourself in judgment? If you’re like most people I know, it’s probably a lot. Definitely more often than you need to. Being too hard on yourself and not being able to make mistakes will quickly translate into the same sort of behaviour directed at others. Use your awareness of a mistake you’ve made simply be a reminder for the future. And if you catch yourself berating or beating yourself up, simply smile, say “Thanks for sharing that,” and then continue on your day.
These are just a few simple ideas about how you can make the world a better place than it was when you found it. I’m sure you have some more, and I’d love to hear them.
Great people have a higher moral or social purpose - they do things because they feel a need to contribute to the growth of the planet, of themselves and of humanity in general. What is your higher moral purpose? How can you show the world how great you really are?
We can all do our part to make the world a little better than when we found it – so let’s get out there and do it.
