What is it about us that drives to accomplish greatness? I have long surprised it takes for a person of humble beginning to rise up and create a legacy that will not be forgotten. What is it that drives us to be great?
The answer is the desire to fill some sort of void. There is something in each and every one of us that is lacking. The next question becomes what is missing in each of our lives. What is it that at days end do we feel is missing? This is a question that many spend a lifetime searching for the answer. In this article I would like to spend a few minutes showing ways to identify undertakings that fill voids.
The first process one must under take is simple in theory, but one of the most difficult in practice. We must search and find what we feel is missing. If you were to walk into any bookstore in America and around the world you are bound to find piles of books discussing self discovery, self-assessment, and personal development. With this in mind I will limit my description of how to undertake this process. My advice is actually quite simple, be honest. Be brutally honest if you must. The key is that when the first process is complete you are out of secrets that you have been keeping from yourself for so long. The second step in this process is clear. Allow others to be equally honest with you. It is one thing to search inside and find what is missing and where you have strengths. It is entirely different and very hard to let others search you and find what they see as strengths and weaknesses.
The second point in the process is to determine based on the void discovered and the strength identified what can be done to create last impact on the people around if not impact the whole world. It is at this point where many begin to give up. Failure is not trying and not succeeding it is quitting what your start. Do not let this to happen to you. Sit down and list every possible way that you can discover to fill the void in your life. Write down what you could do that will impact the world and your own life. Use the fulfillment that comes from dreaming again to inspire you to continue searching for your place in life. This is not an issue of brilliance; It is an issue of perseverance.
The third step in finding the secret of the individual void is to find ways to fulfill your place in life. It is not enough to know the void and know what someone is capable of doing. The person must build a plan. It is crucial that we put a plan together. This can not be just a dream. Now you need to have a plan. Imagine that you are a business going to the back to get a loan. It is not enough to have a great idea no matter how great the idea may be. It is imperative that you present the banker with a detailed business plan. It is time to create a personal plan that will lead to the implementation of your dream. Take your time and ensure that your plan is well developed and specific to what you hope to accomplish.
The final part of this process is the most enjoyable and the most rewarding in many ways. Begin living the dream. Put the plan of action in place and live it out each and every day. Do not let anyone tell you that your plan is not going to accomplish anything. Tomas Edison failed thousands of times before he was successful and look at the impact that he had on society as we know it. I urge you not to allow anyone to steal the dream that you possess. Do everything that you must to keep on fighting to accomplish what you have put into motion. There is one promise that I can make and that that is that it will not be easy. You will not go to bed and wake up the next day with your plan full in place. It will take time, work and tears to accomplish what it takes to leave a legacy.
Now that I have you terrified let me reassure you that it is in this time of trial that true greatness rises to the top. It is in these times that you begin to find out why when years pass you will be remembered as someone who mattered. You will find that in this article I did not speak specifically of what it is you must do. This is the nature of the void that we seek to fill. It will be different to some extent to each and every one of us. We will look back and see scientists, doctors, athlete, business owner, website designers, writers, parents, grandparents, friends and mentors. The roles will vary but the process is the same. Find the void, identify the purpose, build the plan, and live the dream every step of the way. It is in this process that greatness is discovered.