Paris, France. April 23, 1910. A 51-year-old boisterous American statesman, author, explorer, soldier, naturalist and former President of the United States, gave a timeless speech. That lecture inspires me daily to strive to be worthy of the admiration of my peers and embody the characteristics that help to make great men inspirational.
That begs the question: What inspires others? Is what I find emotionally stirring and motivational the same as my neighbor? I can't say, but I will offer insight into the types of qualities in others that I find influential and hopefully by my example others dare greatly.
Teddy Roosevelt said during his rousing spring day speech, "It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
I believe character is the very definition of a man who inspires others. Someone with willingness to help their fellow man that's faithful with an indomitable spirit. Someone who works toward leaving a legacy for those in the future. An honest person easily balanced with vulnerability and unyielding determination. Someone with an incomparable work ethic that is not fearful of failure but aware of its possibility, and has the tenacity to drive forward. A person with dedication to family and community. A voracious reader who practices numerous hobbies and offers mutual respect, compassion and friendship to all. Of course, drive and determination inspire others, but so does an inexhaustible supply of infectious optimism. A person that can appreciate the joke (even at their own expense) can inspire someone and leave a lasting impression. So, how does what I believe inspire others?
Each morning I rise thankful and start my day with a ritualistic schedule of daily affirmations. I loudly exclaim the name of each person I love, who loves me, why I love my job, what I'm grateful for, what I'm proud of, what I'm excited about, what I enjoy most and what I'm committed to before having breakfast and reviewing my goals. I sincerely believe someone must inspire themselves before he or she can inspire others, and everyday I strive to be just that, inspired.
CEO
"Dare greatly my friends"
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