What Does Your Season of Greatness Look Like?
Many people long to achieve their highest good in life, often without even understanding what that means. Over the years, having worked with and spoken to hundreds (if not thousands) of people, I find the same topic comes up: “How do I grow and go to the next level?” Another way of asking this question is: “What does greatness actually look like?” My answer is this: “Once you know your meaning, you will be able to develop your message, and then ultimately carry out your mission (which is your purpose).”
Longing for the Best
When we live out our purpose—that is greatness. So how do we get to a place of understanding our meaning? Most of us get caught up in the journey of life. We end up going through the motions, and we don’t stop to take the time to figure out why we are here and what we are supposed to do. Oftentimes, it is through our mistakes that we discover where we really need to be. And once we do gain more clarity, it is amazing how the pieces come together, and we realize that the path we’ve been on has played a role in helping us get to where we needed to be all along. As Steve Jobs once said, “Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become.”
Changing Seasons
I believe that greatness comes in various forms and in different seasons. And what we consider greatness may not be the same from one season to the next. But greatness can come in different packages along our journey. My goals and aspirations as a college student changed when I got married and had children. As we mature and grow older, we tend to see life through a different lens. But I encourage you to appreciate the greatness that comes with every season, versus haphazardly rushing to the next.
There are ten steps I believe we must work through to step into our Season of Greatness:
- Be aware of your seasons.
- Learn how to accept the end of a season.
- Explore new ideas and opportunities.
- Always maintain an attitude of gratitude. (No matter what.)
- Learn how to receive with grace.
- Celebrate freedom.
- Become globally minded.
- Speak your truth.
- Know your purpose.
- Embrace the season of mentorship (the time for you to help others).
As you explore your Season of Greatness, know that you can have multiple seasons where you achieve what is great at that time. Ultimately, if you walk in your truth, you will live the life you were meant to live and it will be great. The true sign of greatness is when what you do helps others, and you leave the world in a better place than it was before you came. Healing without hate: It's a choice. It's a lifestyle. Pass it on! A version of this post appeared in Wendy’s column in the Los Angeles Sentinel on August 23, 2018.