Thursday, 12 June 2014

Calling all Leaders in Pursuit of Excellence

Some things are not new. They are as old as the hills.

So, rather than share my own thoughts, on this occasion I thought I’d share one from my collection of quotes from Epictetus.

Epictetus was a Greek philosopher (55 – 135 AD). His view was all external events are determined by fate and therefore, we have no control over them. We should accept whatever happens calmly and dispassionately……. sometimes easier said than done!!

However, individuals are responsible for their own action, which they can examine and control through rigorous self-discipline. Here are some questions and thoughts for you to consider from his perspective:
 

“Who exactly do you want to be?
What kind of person do you want to be?
What are your personal ideals?
Whom do you admire?
What are their special traits that you would make your own?

It's time to stop being vague.
If you wish to be an extraordinary person, if you wish to become wise, then you should explicitly identify the kind of person you aspire to become.
If you have a daybook, write down who you're trying to be, so that you can refer to this self-determination.
Precisely describe the demeanor you want to adopt so that you may preserve it when you are by yourself or with other people."

If you do not have a personal development plan in place yet why not use this as s simple way to get started. Identify what you want your first step to be and take it.
Then on a daily or weekly basis review how you are doing. Ask yourself these questions:
1.    What is working for you?
2.    What could you do a little better?
3.    What is your next step/action to continually improve?

Have fun with it and celebrate your progress!

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