The Greatness Project Challenge January 2007
Great individuals are often described as “larger than life.” Reality dictates, of course, that none of us is larger than life since, eventually, life will continue and we won’t. However, this phrase captures something about the essence of great individuals; that somehow their lives are extraordinary. Do you want to be larger than life?
Over the years, we’ve seen a ten-fold increase in the number of people who receive our monthly essays. Additionally, we know of leaders and managers who, once they receive it, send The Greatness Project on to their divisions, organizations, or work force. What we appreciate even more are the emails, stories, or comments we receive from readers. People are thinking about what we write, but are any of us doing things differently?
Our focus this month is inspired by an article in the January 2007 issue of National Geographic. “Artic Nightmare” follows two extreme explorers as they attempt to travel (ski, walk and swim) to the North Pole during the artic winter. As gripping as the account is, the mindset of these men was what drew us in. Author, Marguerite Del Giudice, notes that “It isn’t a desire to be closer to death that attracts them, they will tell you, it’s a desire to be closer to life. They know that willpower can be built, that ordinary people, like themselves, have abilities beyond their reckonings.”
What are your capabilities? Have you really tested your limits? Many of us would say that we’re “comfortable.” We’ve managed to create lives of peaceful coexistence with the world and we move though our lives gently crossing days off the calendar. What if we began a movement to live great lives? We’re not suggesting a walk to the North Pole, but what if we actively choose to be closer to life by challenging ourselves to discover and exceed the current limits of our abilities?
We invite you to choose an area for exploration, becoming a great parent, boss, or peer; or attempting something you’ve always desired to do; or growing to become the best person you could possibly be. We invite you to join us in going further than you’ve ever allowed yourself to go toward personal greatness.
To foster the “I am a greatness project” movement, we’re will send you an electronic invitation later this month asking you to sign up and tell us what you’re going to attempt. We promise, over the next 12 months, to offer information to inspire and challenge us all. And with your permission, we’ll share what some of you are doing to further your personal quest for greatness.
No, you don’t have to sign up, you don’t have to join. We simply offer this as a catalyzing challenge. This is not about fame or fortune, but a desire to be closer to life.
The Greatness ProjectTM is researched and written by:
Scott Asalone & Jan Sparrow
Copyright © ASGMC, Inc. 2007