5 Reasons Why You Should Be Great

“Greatness is not a function of circumstance. Greatness is largely a matter of conscious choice.” Jim Collins

I recently finished reading (again) the book Good to Great by Jim Collins. In the book the author provides insights based on extensive research on what makes successful companies great rather than simply good or average. Using ideas from the book, I’d like to provide reasons why we should not settle for average or simply good but rather why we should strive to be great in life.

#1 It’s Not Harder!

Being great rather than just average sounds like a lot of work. And if you are like me, you already feel you are overwhelmed and stretched to your limits so how could you possibly do more. Well, being great is not necessarily about doing more but about doing things differently. It is not about working harder but working smarter. In fact, being great often results in less suffering and sometimes even less work than being mediocre.

Have you ever worked for a mediocre organization or played on a mediocre team where it seemed like every day, every minute, every decision was a struggle because at any minute you could lose! Striving for greatness eases tension, stress, and guilt that almost always comes with mediocrity and allows us to increase our effectiveness. Though being great does take a lot of work, it does not require anymore work than being mediocre.

#2 It Increases Self-Esteem

Striving to be great boosts our self-esteem. A natural consequence of attempting to be great is better results in life. And when we have better results, our self-esteem is given a boost. Many suffer from poor self-esteem because they too easily settle for mediocrity. If we can push through and find ways to be great, our self-esteem will improve.

#3 It Boosts Energy

Working toward greatness boosts our energy. As we build momentum and see improvements and success, we are naturally energized. Being great takes a lot of energy but that energy is often recycled and put right back whereas settling for mediocre drains our energy and leads to discouragement and dissatisfaction.

#4 It’s Fun

Everyone wants to be successful and wants to feel they’ve accomplished something. Thus, striving to be great is fun. Though it does take time, energy, and effort, the process is very rewarding.

#5 It Supplies Meaning

Finally, reaching to be great provides meaning in our lives. At the end of the day, each of us is looking for purpose and meaning. When we find something that is meaningful to us, the question is no longer why should I be great but how can I be great. It is impossible to be great unless doing it means something to us and is time well spent.

Hopefully, after reading this blog, the question is no longer why but how. Pursing greatness does not require harder work and it does increase our self-esteem, boosts our energy, is fun, and supplies purpose and meaning to our lives. Besides all of this though, the most important reason as to why we should strive to be great is because each of us can.

(For more ideas on how to strive for greatness, please refer to blog on 9/30/10)