There is a story told about Abraham Lincoln and a friend leaving church one Sunday. Lincoln’s friend mentioned what a good sermon the minister had given.
“I just can’t agree,” Mr. Lincoln said.
“But why?” said the friend.
“It’s very simple,” said Lincoln. “He didn’t ask us to do anything great.”
I don’t know if the story is true or not, but the point is clear. Whether for yourself or for others you can, in the words of Phil Gerbyshak, “Make it great.”
Here are seven things that can help motivate towards greatness:
1. Cultivate an attitude of success – You’ve got to start by expecting great things. Don’t settle for second best. The old programmers’ mantra, “garbage in, garbage out,” holds a lot of truth. If you think you’re going to fail, that’s likely to happen. Start by thinking positively about where you want to go.
2. Be Enthusiastic – Enthusiasm is like a fire. When you build a fire, you start small with a few twigs and a match. Once that is burning, you add more fuel and the fire burns hotter and hotter. Enthusiasm starts small, but as you feed it, it grows in strength and gives energy to what you’re trying to accomplish.
3. Keep moving forward – There are going to be times when you don’t seem to have the energy or drive towards success. You hit a plateau, or you may even feel things are moving away from your goals. This is where you need to focus on continual movement. It may be taking small steps, but they can be steps in the right direction.
4. Evaluate your progress – Measure, measure, measure! The only way to ensure you are moving in the right direction is to chart your progress. Don’t make it so granular that it takes more time to measure than to move. But step back from time to time and check what you have accomplished.
5. Adjust your approach – If you find you are slowing down or have come to a stop, look for things you can change to get you back on track. Don’t be so attached to an idea that is weighs down your progress. Realize that circumstances change and what you’re trying to do needs to change to keep up.
6. Encourage others to greatness – Share the experience. A leader shows others where to go, then sets the example for getting there. If you want to energize your drive to greatness, bring others along with you.
7. Have confidence in your ability reach greatness.
