I had a problem
There was an idea that I wanted to try out but there was one problem. I didn’t recognize it right away but, Pride is a funny thing, it can make us feel big and strong, or small and weak. How can pride create so many emotions? I had to really think about it. I wanted the outcome, but wasn’t willing to make the move because i didn’t agree with the way of doing it.
I was sick to my stomach
I wanted to make a students day something they would remember for the REST of their lives. The problem was what my mentor was doing literally made me sick to my stomach. Pride was making me sick? How?! The solution was in front of me the whole time, How do I make this happen? I have the power. I know the answer but i just can’t bring myself to accept it.
What am I going to do?
Pride, as it turned out was the problem. As a martial artist (and good karate student) I am always working on personal development. Humility is very important to being capable of being the best version of yourself. So how is my pride preventing me from helping someone? 1 word made me see it in a completely different light. How could I have been so blind?!
Public Opinion
It comes down to the fact that others in my circle would frown upon it. I did personally have a problem with it before i realized it was pride talking. Now what to do about public opinion? Well, the fact of the matter is the public is not responsible for my decisions or others that I influence so why does their opinion matter so much? We all suffer from peer pressure. EVERYONE in some form or another allow peer pressure to shape decisions we make daily. The only way to beat peer pressure is to find out WHAT it is that is causing it. Once you find the what and the WHY the pressure is gone!
Leaders clap for others
The importance of pride and humility in our everyday life often gets shuffled off to the side as unimportant or a shameful trait. The best kind of pride is pride in someone else. The crowd generally doesn’t have pride in others, the crowd is saying, look at me! look at me! A good leader is going to clap for others when they are doing well. When you can clap for others regardless of what they are doing, you can start to help others and influence the crowd. You have the ability to change the view of the crowd.
The Solution
The one word in this instance that changed my view was Honorary. Who would have thought something i struggled with so deeply could be washed away with 1 word! I spent many years in the Army and many years training in the Martial Arts. When we work hard for something we tend to not want to give it away right? How does honorary change the meaning? For me, something I worked incredibly hard for and a great many others as well EARNED the right to own something. But, what if there was a way something special could be given that doesn’t take away from others sacrifice?
Leaders go first
The conclusion is, by isolating the problem and figuring out the cause I was able to take down a big part of the the problem, and by introducing one word I was able to conclude that it was acceptable! So, a good leader is always working on themselves and a good leader wants to help others. With this Knowledge I can happily make this Students special day one that they will remember for the REST of their lives, and that is really what matters. How we affect others on the daily, how we make people feel and how we can help them have the YES I CAN attitude!