You Are Designed For Greatness
There is a capacity for greatness in everyone. But to some of us it may seem like an illustrious life that is only obtainable by a small group of people. For others, we know greatness is available, but it just seems exhausting to think about all the “work” needed to reach it. Our idea of success can feel unachievable. Overwhelm and fear can creep in and we feel like we are losing our identity to the things going on around us. We begin to second guess our abilities to create and build the life we would love to live.
However, you are designed for greatness. You have everything you need within you to become who you would love to be and to create the life you would love to live.
Living the “dream” life filled with abundance is not reserved for a chosen few. Greatness looks different for everyone, but is available to all of us. We just have to tap into it, to dig deeper, and find meaning and value in what we’re doing, to help us move through this life as fulfilled and fulfilling contributors.
In 2012 there was a commercial released by Nike, entitled “Find Your Greatness.” The scene is a remote country road. In the distance there’s a runner making his way toward us, his sneakers pounding against the asphalt. As he comes closer, you quickly realize he’s a young boy, rather overweight, pushing himself to jog. Then we hear a voice over:
“Greatness. It is just something we made up. Somehow we have come to believe that greatness is a gift, reserved for a chosen few, the prodigies, the superstars, and the rest of us can only stand by watching. You can forget that. Greatness is not some rare DNA strand. It’s not some precious thing. Greatness is no more unique to us than breathing. We are all capable of it. All of us.”
This powerful commercial reminds us just how important it is to keep our eyes on our ability to accomplish great things. That we must call upon ourselves to use what is within us to make our lives the most meaningful they can be, as well as enriching the world through the lives we touch.
Maybe you find yourself wondering how to access this. While the answer is not a simple one, there are numerous ways to drive you towards your higher calling and put you on the path to discovering your next level of greatness.
Here are four ways you can reignite and call forth this capacity within you:
1. View challenges as opportunities for growth.
You can discover your capacity for greatness in the challenges you face and the challenges that are yet to come. What we perceive as a failure is really an opportunity for growth. As Napoleon Hill, author of “Think and Grow Rich” said, “Every adversity, every failure, every heartbreak, carries with it the seed for an equal or greater benefit.”
Viewing a challenge as an opportunity vs a roadblock or a stop sign, can help us discover just how much we are capable of. We can find seeds of good in every circumstance of life. And by seeing the challenges as stepping stones, carrying us forward in growth, we can achieve far more than we originally thought. Seeing yourself in a brighter light shifts your energy and pushes you closer to the greatness within.
2. Have a clear vision.
“A vision is not just a picture of what could be; it is an appeal to our better selves, a call to become something more.” Rosabeth Moss Kanter
Allow yourself to dream of something that is beyond what you are currently experiencing and give yourself time and space to develop clarity on your vision.
For example, you may have a desire to start a business, travel to a new place, run in a 5K, or write a book.
Having a clear vision pulls you into the discovery that you are more than who you thought you were, more than what your history has been or current situation is.
You access this power within you as you lean in to what you would love and begin to move towards it.
3. Say “Yes” to your vision and take action.
The vision is just the beginning. Once you visualize and see what you would love, it’s important to then say “yes” to your vision by taking action.
“Don’t wait. The time will never be just right. Start where you stand, and work whatever tools you have at your command and better tools will be found as you go along” - Napoleon Hill
Take time to think about what you can do now and begin taking those steps. Your action will move you in the direction of your vision and you will begin to draw to you, ideas, people and opportunities that support you in continuing to move forward. And it is in the process of taking the step that you can take, that you discover the capacity within you to be, do and experience more than you thought you could.
4. Surround yourself with supportive people.
Surrounding yourself with friends, family and people you look up to can be a very empowering move towards finding your path to greatness. These people can bring us encouragement and support as we journey through the difficult times, assist us in finding clarity, and to cheer us on as we succeed. Finding a partner in believing (one who supports our ideas and lifts us up) can create an energy around each of us that propels us more quickly towards our vision of what we would love.
Greatness doesn’t happen by chance. Settling for mediocrity doesn’t either. Both are a choice and they both take a great deal of work. No matter what hat you find yourself wearing, remember sitting with mediocrity can be just as much work, if not more, as taking steps towards greatness.
The amazing thing is, we can choose our path.
Allow yourself to be called forward into something more and decide to take a step today towards it.