What do names like Socrates, Harriet Tubman, Alexander, Joan or Arc, Margaret Thatcher, M.L. King, and Albert Einstein each have in common? Greatness, you say? Ding Ding Ding! Absolutely!
We know these names and many other’s as well, because our history books are lined with their stories, many have spoken those inspiring quotes we share, and even YouTube now are filled with models that great people were captured sharing their remarkable breakthroughs.
These individuals somehow defied the odds that were against them and turned those very odds into great inventions and designs for master plans for their lives and ours.
Call me foolish, but I believe that we ourselves can achieve something of great significance to leave behind in this world.
Who knows? Maybe even make a legacy that will forever be recorded upon the pages of history.
However, in order for this to take place we must ask ourselves the following question at some point in that journey towards excellence, “What makes the great great?”
Study anyone who’s great, and you’ll find that they apprenticed to a master, or several masters. Therefore, if you want to achieve greatness, renown, and superlative success, you must apprentice to a master. ~Robert Allen
I set out on this very venture to find out what indeed causes greatness to be achieved and/or thrust upon certain individuals.
What character qualities did these people possess? Were they born with their greatness within them? Were they taught to be great? Was it acquired by being self-taught? Or did it take many years of dedication and perseverance on their parts to become great?
I believe that each of the questions above will offer us a clear look into the mental mindsets, work ethics, and characteristics of those that surpassed incredible obstacles to tap into their greatness.
Greatness is developed… it is shaped, formed, taught, created, learned, and even produced. One thing it is never done… is given freely without any effort applied.
The 7 Keys of Greatness
Here I’ve listed 7 simple keys I found that those who possessed greatness practiced to become great.
- Plan to work extremely hard to obtain Greatness! Hard-work is the foundation of greatness. One who desires to be great should expect a lot of early mornings and just as many late nights. Dave Ramsey stated in his book The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness, “If you will live like no one else, later you can live like no one else.”
- The Code of… Practice! People who become great learn as much as possible… and they teach themselves their craft over and over again. They do this by daily working to make themselves better. They are passionate about what they’re doing. And that passion comes through as greatness. They practiced to prepare for greatness daily.
- Thank Your Doubters! There’s no doubt in my mind that people of greatness have had their share of doubters. Yet it’s through many that have influenced me on this journey that I’ve learned the importance of Thanking Your Doubters. Mark Twain said, “Be good and you will be lonely”. They knew that they became their environment whether they wanted to or not.
- Examine The Examples. No matter how you have to go about doing so, find examples and do exactly as they do; if you can, try to do it a little better. Pattern your life to theirs; that means find out what their habits were, what they practiced daily, and most importantly the way they thought about life and themselves. “People seldom improve when they have no other model but themselves to copy after.” ~Goldsmith
- Be a Leader. If one seeks to be great, they should also possess qualities such as influence, character, have no fear of taking chances, and be a Leader of the people. Leaders lead by example and not by thrusting their points, views, and beliefs onto others forcefully. In his post, 5 Qualities Every Great Leader Possess (Plus 1 they should), Travis Robertson says, “They understand that people don’t follow titles – people follow passionate leaders who believe in them and inspire them to greatness.”
- It’s All in the Mind. You must first believe that you are great, and that what you’re doing is also great. Each of these keys demands us to release our mindsets, and to make sure that our goals are lined up with our way of thinking. “Greatness lies in his power of thought” ~Blaise Plascal
- Great People, Serve Other People. (All People) Greatness comes through service. Those individuals saw where they could fill a need that could help others and they filled it. It’s that simple. Now, of course there have been people that possessed greatness that did cause many to think in certain ways counter to what was best for all mankind, but if you continue reading their stories, most if not each of them fell… incredibly hard, if I might add. So serve people greatly and you will be great.
Lastly, think outside the box. Do it differently. Drop the follower mentality, and think like a leader. Put in the work. Practice. Look for examples in others that have already done it, and do it, better! Stay alert! Stay vigilant! Stay focused! And always… always Dream BIG! Do this… and you too might reach your Greatest Potential!
Let’s discuss Greatness…
What do you think makes the Great great? Is Greatness Born or Made? Would you add anything to the 7 keys?
I’m always interested to hear your thoughts. So please feel free to share them with me. Please share this post, as well. Thanks in advance!
May you Release the keys of greatness in your life, and Master leaving a legacy to the world!
{ 57 comments… read them below or add one }
Being great, like being a leader, doesn’t happen in the moment of crisis or fame, it happens each day with all the little things. In those “great moments” when people seem to appear out of nowhere and do great things, it is only our perspective as outsiders that makes it appear that way. For example, Dave Ramsey, who you mentioned. He didn’t just one day realize that people need help getting out of debt and the next day he was a best selling author with a radio and tv talk show deal, and booked solid speaking at conferences and seminars. It took combining experience with passion and adding consistent dedication to his personal cause to help people live debt free. In each of the great leaders, when we examine their lives, we find the same to be true…in the background is a man or woman of integrity who did the small stuff well…and then did the big things right! Great post Deeone! Keep bringing on the awesomeness!
Burl recently posted this awesomeness..10 Best Secrets For Making Sure Your Dreams Come True!
One of the most valuable patterns I gathered while doing my research is that most of them were leaders in their own right. It’s safe to say that becoming an effective leader ensured that they would reach greatness. Now, I’m certainly not saying that all leaders are destined for greatness; that’s not it at all. Since we know that not everyone that wears the title is or should be considered having leadership characteristics.
I totally agree with you that these people actually were dedicated to providing consistent practices that allowed for results of greatness overtime. It’s that consistency and dedication that I think got them noticed… that and the extraordinary results and outcomes that they produced.
If we keep taking those small steps, like you said, we’re sure to make our own impact on the world. We have to keep doing what we know to do though, to keep getting great consequences.
Thanks for the feedback and for the encouragement! I’m definitely feeling empowered to seek my own greatness after writing this one.
Deeone recently posted this awesomeness..The 7 Keys of Greatness: What makes the Great great?
Hey Deeone,
This was excellent my friend. I love studying others, including those that have amassed greatness, and even those that didn’t reach such heights.
I believe that greatness is born within us. We’re born great. Kids are great. Then we become tainted by societies ideologies of how we “should be”. This leads us down a path of never feeling good enough, being unsure of ourselves and unwilling to step out beyond that realm because we don’t want to be ridiculed, shot down and doubted by our peers, parents and strangers. So we play it safe.
As adults, we can only become great when we’re willing disassociate ourselves with the chains wrapped so tightly around us by society.
You, my friend, are becoming great!
PEACE
Good day Jk,
Thanks for the compliment, my friend! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
You and I share in the studying of other’s department. Last night I was up until 3 a.m. listening to several interviews and videos on YouTube, studying people like Richard Bronson, who had a killer one that I’ll have to send to you shortly. Man, that guy is phenomenal! I know a lot of people don’t particularly like his way of doing things, but I think he has a business mindset that’s out of this world. I love his approach to business and life. There were a few other’s that I got stuck watching as well… when I looked at the time, I was like… “Dude, you need to be in bed!” LOL I just can’t seem to get enough of seeing how everyone else acquired greatness for their lives; I’m hungry to learn more and more!
Of course you know from my previous post and our conversations, that I grew up believing those very things that you mentioned in your comment. It took me over a year to finally start believing that I’m capable of that type of greatness. I now believe that it’s my duty to share the possibilities of greatness, with those who like me were told that it was impossible for them to achieve it.
I heard Les Brown say a couple of days ago, that sometimes we have to believe the good someone else is saying about us, until we are able to believe it about ourselves. Check! Got that! And it definitely works!
I’ve played it safe all my life, man. There’s nothing more nerve-wracking than feeling like you were meant for something bigger, and having no clue of what to do to make it happen. Little did I know though, that it only takes an awareness that it’s possible and action applied to the possibilities that would open me up to knowing exactly what to do and what it would take to make dreams a reality.
The chains have been disassociated, my friend.
Like you, I’m going after that greatness with a vengeance. Failure is not an option! LOL
Thanks for the awesomeness, buddy!
Deeone recently posted this awesomeness..The 7 Keys of Greatness: What makes the Great great?
Hey Deeone,
I agree, excellent post and I also agree with what JK said.
I believe we are all born with greatness. It’s the lessons we’ve learned through our parents, teachers, mentors throughout the years that have maybe tainted our thoughts. I know that in my case with my parents having grown up in the depression that their beliefs were quickly shared with me and I was lead to believe that’s how things are. That’s not necessarily the case today so we have to find it within ourselves to bring that greatness out above all the odds.
Life is one huge lesson and we will always be a student. I continue to admit being a work in progress but to me each new lesson brings me closer to being that person I know I’m worthy of being. My greatness shines in some areas more than others but with time it will shine in them all!
Wonderful post Deeone and thank you for sharing this inspirational message with us today. I just love this.
Have a beautiful day my friend.
Adrienne recently posted this awesomeness..How To Set Up Social Media Icons In WordPress Using Socialize
Hey Thanks, Adrienne!
That was so very kind of you. You should see this smile I’m wearing on my face right now.
I think the best thing we can do is to truly become a student of life. To become aware of what’s happening around us and taking the time to really search within ourselves for the answers that have been there the entire time. I used to be the one pointing the blame in so many directions of why I wasn’t where I needed to be… heck, where I wanted to be, but then I realized that the faults of where I was in life were my own. The blame had to stop, and I seriously needed to get busy.
The dead giveaway was the grey hairs poking out of my beard. That started to put things into perspective.
“Dude, this thing called life is not going in reverse. You may want to move forward with it.” LOL
That greatness is always there within each of us just waiting for us to tap into it. I think that may go down as being the most liberating feelings in the ones entire life; to be able to come to the realization that you’re fully capable of having that greatness.
Thanks for the wonderful feedback, my friend.
Loved it! Have an amazing day! 
Deeone recently posted this awesomeness..The 7 Keys of Greatness: What makes the Great great?
This post is made up of greatness! Wow!
Greatness is absolutely made, not born, and I believe it is those who have overcome great challenges that become the greatest of us all. If greatness is born, it is born out of adversity.
These are such powerful keys and my favorite among them are practice, leadership and service. No matter the level of greatness an individual hopes to achieve, living a life of practice, leadership and service will create gratitude, joy and satisfaction in life.
Thank you for this beautiful and inspiring post, Deeone!
Chrysta
Chrysta Bairre recently posted this awesomeness..How to Have an Awesome Conference Experience!
Wow! Thanks for the HUGE compliments, Chrysta!
I love the part when you said, “If greatness is born, it is born our of adversity.” That brought goosebumps when I read that… I had to read it again.
I’m currently reading three books rights now, and one of them happens to be John Maxwell’s, “Becoming a Person of Influence”, and in it John and a Co-Author talks about those three words in particular.
There was a quote that I read this morning actually by Abraham Lincoln, “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”
I believe if a person is ever going to be great, living a life of practice, leadership and service, will require good character as well. If there’s good character those three will certainly fall in line. Or, at least they should.
Thanks again for the kind words.
Have a phenomenal day!
Deeone recently posted this awesomeness..Change
Powerful, powerful! Love this post. One of your best (IMHO).
There are so many keys to greatness (as you identified). For me, it is about releasing what already lies within. For example, the major obstacle that I face is putting myself out there–not the self that I *think* everyone wants me to be, but the real self…the real me.
This is an ongoing process of authenticity. It is like peeling back the layers of the onion in order to reveal the heart of who I am and what I’m about.
The exciting thing I have realized is that the more authentic I become, the more personal power I wield. The more true and transparently I live, the more credibility that I gain.
Thanks for making me think this through, Deeone. Love it, my friend. Can’t wait to get my hands on your book!
Steve Rice recently posted this awesomeness..Let’s Play Big, You and I. (Gain Clarity. Find Purpose. Pursue Passion)
Hey Steve, thanks man!
I really appreciate the compliment, and I’d definitely agree with you. The thing is, I think I grew with searching for the information for this post… and let me tell you, I did some serious research!
I actually had to cut out a lot of it, if I’d hadn’t taken out some of the people and their individual stories it would’ve been a straight up history course, add the other stuff I left out and I had a short little eBook, or a series at the very least.
But I hear what you’re saying about putting yourself out there. I’ll share with you what I tell myself when my ego, and you know that’s what it is, tries to tell me that I’m putting myself out there. I simple assure it that, “Yeah, I am!”; because I know that I want this more than anything I’ve wanted in my entire life. And that’s what you’ve got to know… Do you want it? And or, What do I really want?
Once I figured those two things out for myself; not allowing any outside noise or verbal distractions, but listen to what my own voice was saying. I was then able to hear it loud and clear!
Sometimes we really already know exactly what it is we want to do the most in our lives; it’s just that at that moment we aren’t either ready or willing to to do what’s necessary. The price we’d pay seems too steep. And there’s nothing wrong with that… but hearing that inner voice over the ego voice, definitely seems the way to go to me.
Thanks for the feedback on this, Steve. And trust me bud, I’m ready to get the book into your hands.
Have a great one, my friend.
Deeone recently posted this awesomeness..Speaking Life Into Your Situation
Hey,
You know I used to not like people who like such long posts. But this was such a wonderful read and made me hang on to every word!
Greatness is a huge concept but what makes great people similar is that they found their calling, believed in themselves and went on to achieve something they believes wasn’t impossible. Not many know what greatness will be for them and whether it is for them, but just doing in what you believe might be a great act of courage in itself.
Small acts can be great and we need to make each moment great .. not only in terms of definition, but in terms on experience and learning. Believe in yourself and the world shall believe in you!
Absolutely brilliant post! Love it!
Hajra recently posted this awesomeness..Will they call you over for a bloggers party?
I am there with you Hajra…I think Deeone’s blog is the only one I regularly read that has such long posts, but I have found they are worth it! Love your point about how if we pursue what we believe in, it is an act of courage even if we are never recognized by the world as “great”. We will by doing so, change our world!
Burl recently posted this awesomeness..Who is going to invent something that will change the world?
That’s very kind of you, Burl! Thanks for the compliment, buddy!
Good day, Hajra!
I’m glad that you made through the read, I honestly was going for a post of 500 words or less this week, but the words just kept coming and after while I literally had to stop myself!
I couldn’t agree with you more on this. That’s the powerful peice of the equation that I actually wanted to delve into… the calling, purpose, and/or passion, that reaps greatness!
Once an individual finds something that they can begin to thrive in all areas in their life, that “Thing” they find to do, they may want to cling onto it as though their very life depended on it. It’s in that “Thing” they will find their greatness.
Having the faith in that calling and in themselves will continue to fuel the drive of making greatness happen.
Thanks for the empowering feedback, my friend. It’s always a pleasure to hear from you.
Enjoy the rest of your week!
Deeone recently posted this awesomeness..Thank your Doubters
I like your perspective here, especially the Code of Practice principle. If we want to more than the normal, it takes a mind shift to do it. This will drive us to do more and be on the path to, well, greatness!
Glad to have found you through Steve Rice. Thanks!
Jon
Jon Mertz recently posted this awesomeness..What Does Peace Mean to You?
Good day Jon and Welcome to the Release!
I’m delighted that you enjoyed this post, my friend. The Code of Practice was actually my favorite part of researching greatness; although, much of my reading referred to this process as “applying this” or “preparing for that”, I thought practice fit so much better.
I’m glad it worked for you too.
Shifting our way of thinking is HUGE! I never really considered that before. I thought that I could go about business as usual and just walk into my destiny. I’m sure a lot of other people think this as well.
They don’t consider change being needed, but in order for us to improve our chances of getting a different outcome; we have got to go about doing things differently. I totally agree with you Jon!
I’m glad Steve is responsible for introducing us; if you’re connected with him, then I am certain that you’re in great company here. Again, Welcome. Feel free to come back anytime, it would be a pleasure to hear from you again.
Have a great week’s end, my friend.
Deeone recently posted this awesomeness..The 7 Keys of Greatness: What makes the Great great?
Hi Deeone,
Interesting question about whether greatness is born or made. I think greatness can be born and made as well. Mattie Stepanek was someone who was born great, in my opinion. He started to write poetry at the age of 3 and went on to become a motivational speaker and peace advocate, before he passed away at the age of 13. I can think of many who became great, such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who studied the non violent resistance teachings of Ghandi. So in a way, Dr. King was an apprentice to Ghandi.
Thanks for this thought provoking post. I truly enjoyed it.
Until next time.
Jamella recently posted this awesomeness..A Gratitude Journal For Me
Hey there Jamella!
That’s a really great example of born greatness. Whenever I hear of stories like the one you shared about Mattie, I can’t help but to think that those are also a great example that we each have a purpose for being. For only ten years this young fella had the opportunity to fulfill his destiny, and he took the opportunity. How many people do we know that have had the opportunity for 30+ years and never did anything at all with it. Something to think about, wouldn’t you agree?
I never knew of MLK’s studying of Ghandi… but that would explain a lot.
Thanks for sharing that with me, gives me something else to read up on. 
Thanks for the feedback, my friend. Have an amazing weekend ahead!
Deeone recently posted this awesomeness..Releasing My Mindset
I love this – I love this – I love this!!!
I’m gonna print this post out and give it to my 3 oldest children. They really need to read this and honestly I feel that ALL kids, teens, and even young adults need to read this!! Nowadays so many have the mindset that greatness is automatic–something that just falls into your lap without effort and without doing, thinking, and practicing all of the keys that you mentioned above. Then when it doesn’t happen for them, they’re puzzled and even angry. The keys that you stated above are ones that all parents should teach their children–as early as they can. Just think of how much better the world would be if everyone knew and operated in these keys of greatness everyday!! ~Thank you so much so this!!
MELISASource recently posted this awesomeness..Chantal Kreviazuk Expresses the Power in Freeing Yourself
Good day Makeba,
I totally agree with you, my friend. While I had to do my own research and find out what it meant to me, because this lesson wasn’t given to me in this way; so with me attempting to access it in my life, I had to have a solid understanding of what it meant and how to obtain it.
I don’t fault my lesson bearers for not giving me the knowledge that I am learning today, because I now understand that they weren’t able to conceive into their imagination what I’ve accomplish seeking it on my own. They came from a totally different era than the one we live in now, and the resources available to us today; weren’t accessible to them.
I am very grateful however that I had the opportunity and wherewithal to seek the answers for myself. Although, I’m much like you in my wondering’s; where would I be in my life today had I received these lessons back when it mattered most. What would I be doing? How much more would I have accomplished? Do you find yourself asking these questions? I ask them all of the time.
It causes me to want to find out the answers and put those questions in motion in my own life.
Thanks for the feedback, my friend. It’s always a pleasure hearing from you!
Deeone recently posted this awesomeness..Own Your Butterfly Wings!
Yes I too ask myself those very same questions from time to time. See, even though I grew up in a house full of people and come from a large family, no one ever taught me these things. I guess it’s because everyone was much older than I and were raised in a different day and age (the ‘generation’ thing). I used to think about it a lot and even allow it to discourage me about my future. I had to break those chains off of my thinking and realize that where I come from has no bearing on where I’ll go, and what I didn’t know then has no bearing on what I know now. It took awhile, but now I know that as long as I’m still breathing, I can take these keys that you talked about and use them to reach my own personal greatness. I say ‘my own personal greatness’ because as you know, the definition of greatness isn’t the same for everyone. We all have our unique life purposes. But yes instead of letting those “what-if’s” bring me down like they use to, now I use them as fuel to motivate myself to keep going!
MELISASource recently posted this awesomeness..Surviving Unfortunate Events
I loved this, my friend. Thanks for sharing your truths and realizations! Of course you know I share in them. What liberation, huh?!
I LOVE IT!!!!
Thanks Deeone, it’s very interesting post.
I agree with all those “steps” but my favorite are: Hard-work, learn as much as possible and don’t be afraid!
Klaudia recently posted this awesomeness..Under Pressure – How to Successfully Survive 2012
Hey there Klaudia and officially Welcome to the Release!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the post, my friend. I’m also delighted that you found it interesting.
We certainly can’t be afraid of a little hard work, and learning new things is always beneficial. Add the two of those together, and WHOA; we’re breaking into what’s possible in our lives!
Thanks for stopping in. Do feel free to come back anytime!
Deeone recently posted this awesomeness..The 7 Keys of Greatness: What makes the Great great?
Wonderful post Deeone!
I love the title of the post and the wonderful keys along with the awesome quotes that you have shared. I could never really add anything further than what you have just added here
I feel each one of us have something unique and great deep within us, though we somehow never get to know about it – unless some other person points it out to us.
I could best relate to – It’s all in the mind- which truly is the case. I guess when we think we are great we are great. And if you think you are not, you are not. It is all on how and what you think, and that is what really makes YOU.
Also the point about plan to work extremely hard is so valid, as I feel there are no excuses to hard work. You achieve greatness when your work and personality is recognized and appreciated in the eyes of other people, and what better way than your work speaking for itself.
Thanks for sharing a wonderful post, and have a great weekend sharing your greatness with everyone
Harleena Singh recently posted this awesomeness..Accepting the 7 Links Challenge
Hey Harleena and thanks!
I’m glad you enjoyed some of my favorite parts as well.
Great minds think alike, eh? 
The hardest part I learned about greatness is for individuals convincing themselves that they are indeed capable of it. Like I mentioned to Jk, up in the above comments about what Les Brown said, we sometimes we have to believe the good someone else sees or is saying about us, until we are able to believe it about ourselves.
It wasn’t until I started blogging that I truly learned how to believe in myself and train my mind to produce results. And it’s something that we’re often required to do, if we aren’t practicing it. There is so much power in our thoughts and in choosing our words; that we should really consider them more if we want to produce great results.
Yep, we cannot be afraid of popping a sweat… or shedding a tear for what we want. We must constantly ask ourselves, especially when doubt lingers in our minds on our abilities to follow though, “How bad do I really want this?” After we ask that question, we have to wait on an answer. There in the answer lies the truths of whether we should proceed or not.
So glad to hear from you, my friend. Hope you enjoy your weekend as well! Cheers!
Deeone recently posted this awesomeness..The 7 Keys of Greatness: What makes the Great great?
Hey Deeone,
Fab post.
I personally believe that greatness can be born and/or made. I think the important thing for people to realise is that if they aren’t feeling that they weren’t born to do great things, then they need to stop that negative self-talk – because we all have it in us to do greatness, whether it be big or small. It’s all a matter of perspective.
I especially love your tip about thanking your doubters. I know I have a few to be thankful to
Janine recently posted this awesomeness..Why I’m NOT a Domestic Goddess
Good day Janine,
I couldn’t agree with you more, my friend. Whether we come fully equipped or not to obtain greatness in our lives is completely up to the individual. If they weren’t born with any gifts or talents that they haven’t become aware of (because we each have them) then there is still enough resources and people available for us to feed off of and learn from. That’s where the second tip comes into play, Practice, Practice, Practice!
A lot of times people are so adamant on proving other’s wrong that they leave little to no room whatsoever to find out what their talents are. They hold on to so much animosity, guilt, and anger in their lives that they block unconsciously any good that was to come in their direction; which only make them even more miserable about seeing someone else progress. Funny how the mind works, huh?
I say celebrate other’s if they are nearing their breakthrough, in so doing, we open ourselves, our hearts, and our minds to achieving the same or greater for ourselves.
As far as the doubters go; sweetie, I have a list that I will give a HUGE thank you too with a standing ovation included as well!
I’ve already began thanking them. 
Deeone recently posted this awesomeness..Thank your Doubters
Hi Deeone,
You’re right, great people serve other people. I’m bad at that.
My mother is one of those people I see leaving a legacy and the number one reason I feel that way is because she was always helping everyone else.
It’s sad sometimes to hear how hard she works and see how others treat her in response.
She is a speech pathologist and she works her butt off. She bought puppets to help the children learn to speak better, she spends weekends writing reports so mother’s and father’s can help their children at home.
Eventually, some of the other speech paths got together and told her she was making them look bad because she had gone so far above the bar. They wanted her to stop.
I think that’s how it is with a lot of the great ones. People will fight them for stepping out of the boundaries others had established. They don’t like the thought of someone else doing it better than them.
Loved this post.
Bryce
That was a most excellent feedback, Bryce! Thanks a lot for sharing it here with me.
You made a few points that really drove it home! You’re mother sounds like an exceptional lady who has found her passion and ways to make her passion work better. That indeed is greatness at it’s best!
When people see that you’re going beyond the call of duty, they can get all kinds of feelings about what you’re doing. Many of them have no idea they are operating out of ego. It’s not until we become honest with ourselves that we can become happy for other’s reaching their goals. And the only way this will happen is if we are actively working towards our own.
I hope your mother doesn’t decide to stop on their account; instead I hope she finds something else even better to offer that will make them that much more “Suck faced”.
People can be so incredible, can’t they? That’s sad, but it’s really funny the energy some people invest in something that has nothing at all to do with them.
Thank you for sharing such a great example of “What happens when the Great become great.”
Deeone recently posted this awesomeness..Friends: Men and Women of Iron Part 2
Though I’ve been following you on Twitter for a while, this is my first trip to your blog. Timing is everything…I just did a video on 5 Keys to Unlock Your Greatness last week (I have nine, but only five made the video). It’s great to read your perspective on the subject…
Additionally, I also talk about “release.” lol…Great minds
Greetings Emelia and Officially Welcome!
Trust me, I know how difficult it can be to get to everyone’s site that we’re connected with, but eventually like you said, when the season approaches it’s usually timely and meant for that exact moment. So I’m glad to finally have had this opportunity to meet you and chat with you.
I love videos, so I’ll have to look yours up! Although my weekend rest period is approaching (YAY) if I don’t make my way to you today, then certainly look for me first thing Sunday!
I can’t wait to read your stuff! Loving your images of yourself on your G+ profile too. You’re very beautiful!
Stay awesome and we shall talk very soon. Have a great weekend! 
Deeone recently posted this awesomeness..The 7 Keys of Greatness: What makes the Great great?
Hi Deeone,
Very thought provoking post, and certainly one to study. I believe though, that some peoples greatness isn’t always recognised until they are dead, and that for others, greatness is a perception in only some eyes. For example, Margaret Thatcher, of whom it is claimed was one of the UK’s greatest prime ministers, is reviled by some members of the community.
I think Shakespeare had it right when he wrote Twelfth Night, 1602:
Malvalio:
In my stars I am above thee; but be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon ‘em.
So, if our destiny is to be great, it is not always by our own doing, but by force of circumstances. Would Winston Churchill or Martin Luther King have achieved greatness in different circumstances, or is it a case of ‘Cometh the hour, cometh the man’, and they would still have achieved greatness in different circumstances.
I will have to go and lie down in a darkened room now, too much thinking
Barry
Barry Ranns recently posted this awesomeness..I Don’t Know What To Blog About!
Good day Barry and Welcome!!
First let me just say how much I enjoyed your thoughts on this post.
You’re absolutely right, what might seem to be greatness for me won’t be for others. What comes to mind for me in such instances is the gentleman by the name of Gutzon Borglum and his son, Lincoln Borglum. They were the two gentlemen along with 400 other workers that were responsible for our nations memorial, Mount Rushmore. For over seven years the these men sculpted and carved out stone on the side of a mountain day end and day out. I see it as greatness at it’s best, but due to the history behind Mount Rushmore and the the history behind Gutzon himself; there are still some that don’t believe the way the land was acquired to be any works of greatness.
I also actually used Shakespeare’s monologue in this post; I did incorporated it in there though where I stated, “I set out on this very venture to find out what indeed causes greatness to be’ achieved and/or thrust upon’ certain individuals.” So, we’re on the same page there, my friend. I think that was the best example of what makes the Great great.
Great thoughts!! I really appreciate you sharing them with me! I hope that you will feel free to drop back in at anytime to share more. Have a great weekend!
Deeone recently posted this awesomeness..The 7 Keys of Greatness: What makes the Great great?
Amazing post Deeone.
I believe great leaders are made. I’ve read both Nelson Mandela’s and Mahatma Gandhi’s autobiographies, and it’s apparent that there wasn’t anything particularly outstanding about either of them when they were younger. However, they both had such powerful causes, which compelled them to lead, and well, the whole world knows what impact these two great men had.
Hey, thanks Hiten! I’m glad you enjoyed the post, my friend!
I definitely agree with you that there are many that were made to be leaders; many of the ones that I read about, also developed skills, talents and /or tapped into gifts that were waiting for them to become aware that they possessed. Most, if not each of them attributed their greatness to mentors or people that saw something in them; and a few of them knew that the life they were living previously to achieving their dreams and goals, wasn’t the life they wanted for their future self. I think it only takes an awareness that greatness is possible for us, and then an undying determination to go after whatever it is we want.
Thanks for sharing such a great perspective on this, my friend. I hope you’re enjoying your weekend. Chat with you soon.
Deeone recently posted this awesomeness..The 7 Keys of Greatness: What makes the Great great?
Hola!
This is such a thought-provoking question..hmmm…since it’s late (for me, lol) I can’t think of anything great to add, so I will just comment on a couple of the fine points you chose for this piece.
I like your point about it being all in the mind. One MUST take themselves seriously! Dot. Period.
I Really like that you included Service. That just made me smile. It’s true. I think sometimes people either forget about service or it’s just not even a consideration. Sad. I believe ‘serving’ keeps one grounded and that can only aid in greatness. However, one does not serve To Be great, one serves to serve with out expectation.
As a side note: I like how you often use quotes in your writings to help support a thought or idea.
Love ya!
Elise.
Elise recently posted this awesomeness..Top 5 Things I’ve Learned From Networkers ~ The Bad Ones
Hey Elise,
This question has been with me now for many years now, from when I first read Dr. Dennis Kimbro’s book, “What Makes the Great great?” It was such an enlightening book, that many of his lessons can certainly be attributed to how I approach my goals. If you get the chance to read it, I’d definitely recommend it. It’s a great read!
I’m learning a lot about mindsets here lately. Many things I’ve been aware of but never really practiced; simply because I wasn’t a believer that training our thoughts was possible or beneficial. Yet, in total agreement to what you said in your comment, I realize that had I not begun to “take myself seriously”; I wasn’t able to see the changes needed to my mindset. That’s where I think many people are these days. They simple don’t know that change has to take place within them before they begin to see change outwardly.
Service like mindset, go hand in hand with greatness. Winston Churchill was quoted to have said, “The price of greatness is responsibility.” Many believe that it’s better practices to be self-consumed with what they have going on and getting what they want; if the opportunity were to become available for them to offer service to someone, they would miss it. Partly because ego won’t allow for service. The ego wants it to be all about “me and my needs.” The moment a person steps outside of ego’s playground, their ego will sound the alarm each time without fail, guaranteed!
I truly appreciate your feedback, my friend. I loved the pointers you made. The “one does not serve to be great”… that was RICH! Loved that!
Thanks for the compliment with the quotes as well. I’m a HUGE lover of them. I’m trying to figure out a way as I type away, to incorporate daily quotes on the blog. I hope it’s available soon.
Smooches and much love to you as well! Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Deeone recently posted this awesomeness..Thank your Doubters
Great stuff, Deeone! Indeed, you are knocking on the door of the Ultimate Understanding of yourself by modeling your life on the great one’s. The great one’s see the difference between the false self and the real self… yes, the great ones certainly battle a false self! They have learned to voluntarily detect and abandon all thoughts of insufficiency that make them feel insecure and anxious. It’s the enlightened individual who recognizes that his struggling personality is nothing more than a cheap imitation of what he truly can be. When you recognize this, you meet opportunity after opportunity to prove it is true. Prove it to whom? To YOU!
rob white recently posted this awesomeness..The Ultimate Understanding
Good day Rob,
Thank you for checking out what has been one of my favorite post written to date. I’m delighted that you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it!
This post and the research I gathered for writing it has enlightened and empowered me on so many levels to focus even more on what I need to do and the changes that will continue to take place in my life; and it also showed me where I have missed the mark in the past.
I was consciously and unconsciously keeping myself from becoming who I was meant to be by holding on to ideas that may not have been my own, but I was fully responsible for allowing the practices to keep me in the same state of being. I was totally blinded by who my “false self” was telling me I was.
I’m now more aware of those practices that were keeping me chained and bound to my past and past experiences; learning that when I become mindful of those practices I am better able to correct them and replace them with practices that will render me with outcomes that are more aligned to the ones I want.
The great one’s, you included, have taught me this delightful truth. I’m seeing daily how these lessons are impacting my life, and shifting it to produce the proof to myself, that what I visualize is fully accessible for me. It takes an awareness and true honesty with our real selves to know which self is doing what and for what purpose its doing it. Once we are aware, we then know that we were never really unstoppable or out of reach from ensuring greatness, but that we were allowing ourselves to stop our own self in our tracks.
Thank you for the sharpening, Rob. It’s always a pleasure to hear your wealth of wisdom that inspires one to seek after their own greatness. Have a most excellent week ahead!
Deeone recently posted this awesomeness..The 7 Keys of Greatness: What makes the Great great?
I love the topics you dissect, Deeone! =) I wholeheartedly look up to the greatness of the leaders you mention, but I don’t know if I’d like to be the same. Your post has me thinking more about this and I’m not sure if having a legacy or being remembered is important to me at all — not in the sense of greatness being recorded and passed down anyway.
I think, to me, what’s important is that my family and friends remember me as someone cheerful and as someone who followed her heart. They don’t even need to pass that on. Just knowing that there are a few members out there who remembered me means a lot to me already!
Samantha Bangayan recently posted this awesomeness..Now a Real Peruvian: A Milestone
Good day to you, Samantha!
I do understand what you mean. It’s not everyone’s dream or goal to be great in the way that those I’ve stated were. A lot of people aren’t interested in leaving a legacy of being remembered in history. I don’t think anything is wrong with that at all.
However, there are instances where we’re thrust into greatness and/or gain influence whether we want it or not. You do desire to be successful, right? And you do desire to help other’s, right? If the answer to both of those question is yes, then there’s a slight chance that you could very well be seen to someone as achieving greatness.
Nonetheless, I understand wholeheartedly your position and desire. I most definitely respect you for knowing what it is you want and what’s important to you. That in itself says a lot about who you are. I also believe that what you want and what you find important, already exist with your family and friends. I know it does with this one.
You will always be remembered in my book.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the post, my friend.
I truly appreciate it.
Deeone recently posted this awesomeness..The Shocking Truth About Taking Chances
Hey Deeone,
I think none of the GREATS set out to be great. It is was just a byproduct of their habitual living. Just like Gandi lived for his people, everything he did was for them.
“serve people greatly and you will be great.” – quoting you.
This is the message that I take away from this post.
thank you for the share!
A
Akos Fintor recently posted this awesomeness..The Truth About Blog Commenting and Being REAL
Hey Akos,
You make a valid point, and when you put it that way, I can see definitely see what you mean. These weren’t people who were given the opportunity to just show up for greatness, and they automatically became great. They worked and gave themselves to serving the needs of others, going beyond the call and not seeking reciprocity in return; but fulfilling a need for themselves and their families (those that had families).
So yes, while they did acquire greatness from serving other’s, they also served themselves by accepting the call to be great. If you believe as I do that we each possess greatness within us, then we should consider questioning why some never tap into their fullest potential and/or greatness.
One thing is true, without serving other people’s needs, as you so awesomely put it, habitually, those that seek to be great will never attain it.
Thanks for the awesomeness, my friend. I appreciate you sharing your perspective on this. It offers me another way of looking at greatness and those who acquired it.
Great post Deone!
i loved your analysis and how you made everything clear
keep it up
Thanks Farouk!
I really appreciate you for checking it out and sharing your thoughts with me!
Have a great week ahead, buddy!
Deeone recently posted this awesomeness..Change
Hi Deeone,
This is an exciting topic. I’ve never considered in quite this way, as a study on how to be great. Fabulous perspective.
My thoughts as I read were really expanding to move around and look at these keys in different aspects of greatness. First I am so happy that with the people you chose to showcase. Yes, they are famous, but they are famous for having courage, integrity and a willingness to think beyond the day to day. Not just famous for being famous! You really picked amazing role models. I love that!
When you talked about patterning yourself after your mentors or master I had to stop on really think on this one. My mind keeps going to back to it. I think you really are brilliant to include this. As a teacher of both children and adults, I can tell you that when children and grownups, learn from others in their peer group, the learning curve is huge; for both parties.
My only caution is that although learning from a master is a key, trying to BE that person is going to fail miserably and I think that is where people get lost. Take what moves you, learn the lessons but then apply them to who you are and make them your own.
You know mindset is my passion so I was whohoo-ing that you included it. Without the right mindset you can do all the other things perfectly and you will still only get so far. We can be our own worst enemies and the biggest wall to overcome!
I love when I read posts and it gets me fired up and thinking hard. That is why I love your blog.
You are AWESOME.
much love
Bonnie
Bonnie recently posted this awesomeness..The problem with life is…
Good day Bonnie,
Thank you so much for that remarkable feedback, my friend! I was so very excited to see that you shared your thoughts on this one.
As if you haven’t in the past. hehe
Like I’ve told a few before you, this was my favorite post so far to have written. I got so much out of the research, that the post doesn’t even begin to touch what I’ve learned about greatness and those that achieved it in their lives.
I chose to mention those people and not the ones that are still living for two reasons, 1) Whenever we refer to the word “greatness”, these individuals immediately come to mind oftentimes. 2) Unfortunately, many people still living aren’t given the titled… I find that it’s usually after death and all of a person’s accomplishment throughout their life makes them great. Not to mention, those I think to be great that are living, may not be great in the eyes of others. True?
I think the most common misconception for many people is that when they read post such as this, they assume that the individual is seeking fame or to become a celebrity of sorts. That wasn’t my intentions with this post. I wanted to pinpoint the areas in these people’s lives that contributed to their success. I knew that what they saw as success, wasn’t the same thing that I saw as being successful; but I also am mindful that it takes certain characteristics to obtain any kind of success in an individual’s life. That’s what I wanted to find out. What was I in need of incorporating and what exactly was I in need of letting go to reach my goals.
The most important thing we must do when doing this type of analyzing of other people’s behaviors is to understand that those individuals had their own identity and learned how to see the lessons they received as tools. And when I think of tools my mind automatically goes to the tools we use when making improvements, doing maintenance, or fixing something. If you are seeking to drive a nail into a board you don’t reach for a screw driver. You grab the hammer. That doesn’t mean you won’t ever use the screw driver, it only means you reach for it when it’s needed. Nor do any of us attempt to use the tool like someone else does. We’re trained to use it, and we use as we’ve been train to do so, but at the same time use it like we can use it. Know what I mean?
I’ve never really been one that wanted to “Be” something or someone else. I have in the past allowed other’s to tone “Me being Me” down, but never have I tried to mimic other’s. Conformity has never been a strong suite for me. I loved both of my jobs, in the Navy and as a flight attendant, but hated the fact that I had to wear uniforms. It seemed to me that part of my identity was being shared with everyone I worked with. So that’s what got me into wearing colorful festive socks. It allowed me (even if it was only mentally) to have my own identity.
I’ve learned to take what’s for me, and leave the rest, reaching back only when I needed it for lesson purposes only.
Mindset has become one of my favorite things as well. I think it’s safe to say, that mindset is at the top of the list when discussing, greatness, success, goals and dreams. Without the right mindset and a constant check of it, none of those things will ever be bought into fruition for anyone. Sure, there are those that reach success without having a positively healthy way of thinking and who also might not really care about people that much; their success is usually short-lived though.
We have to know ourselves, what we want, how we plan on getting it, and what it would mean if we actually got it. Like most things, consistency is definitely key!
Thanks for the awesome feedback and for the wonderful compliments, my friend. I do think if we ever get the opportunity to meet, whoever is around us at the time will literally have to tell us to “Shut up, already!” I foresee the conversations going on, and on, and on! ;-D
Deeone recently posted this awesomeness..Friends: Men and Women of Iron Part 1
“Conformity has never been a strong suite for me” and this is exactly why I adore you and your site. Deeone, I love, love LOVE how you share your journey into the bigger and more divine you. It is not only inspiring but you know it lets others going through the same struggles know that they are not alone, they are not weird or out there for taking steps to explore. You have begun creating a community of people who all want to do this but are in different places.
I don’t know if you even understand the impact that this is going to have on the world…and on any number of individual worlds. It is incredible and awesome.
And you darling Deeone are at the center of this whirlwind and you are rocking it!
Bonnie recently posted this awesomeness..The problem with life is…
That is incredibly humbling, my friend. I thank you from the depths of my heart. You…. you’ve seriously got me speechless on that one.
I’m going to go a little deeper into why I do what I do. As I grew up, I watched someone very dear to me battle depression and anxiety. She was an incredible lady, but for whatever reason could never seem to see it herself. Back when I was younger and as a young adult, I did nothing to help her. As a matter of fact, I added fuel to the fire with my judgments and criticisms… all learned and picked up from others, but I take full responsibility for my part. Luckily, I was able to get it right before she passed away. But I vowed to her, that I would spend the rest of my life making it up to her helping people who had their own hidden demons like she did. Not only that, but I would step up and own the gifts she passed on to me. It hasn’t been easy, I assure you. I have had to change the way I do everything that I learned and was taught to do. I’ve been a baby in a sense being reborn. The butterfly series… that is it in a nutshell. I know that I’m not the same man I was 2 to 3 year ago. He no longer exist. For that I’m extremely grateful. I smile more that I have in all my life. The world around me looks as though I’m seeing it for the first time. I have a new perception of people, I see their hurts, pains, the abuse they’ve endure, the chains their wearing, the prison they want to break free from… but don’t know how to go about doing so; each and every day I grow, and share that growth with whoever will listen in hopes that they too will find growth.
I don’t know what may come of “RMT”, but the lives I’ve touched so far have made me want to go as far as I can go with it. I’m a firm believer that our gifts will make room for us. We have to trust in what bigger than us and keep our feet grounded; knowing that at any moment… any single moment, it can all be taken away at the blink of an eye.
That lady I mentioned, was my mother. All that I do today, is a reflection of what I whispered in her ear the night I watched her slip away. I am focused and determined to continue to make her proud of her oldest son. I say continue to make her proud, because I feel her constantly nodding in approval to me, what I’m doing, and to my personal growth. She used to tell me that I was her angel… Well, I guess the Maker of us all decided it was her turn to be mine.
And you know what else? I think it’s also evident that Someone keeps putting amazing, inspiring, motivating, kind, loving people like you in my path. For that I am SO TRULY GRATEFUL! <3 Thank you for the sharpening, my friend. I really do appreciate it.
Deeone recently posted this awesomeness..The 7 Keys of Greatness: What makes the Great great?
I guess I wasn’t so speechless, huh?
Deeone recently posted this awesomeness..Change
Hi Deeone,
It’s my first time visiting your website, thanks so Samantha Bangayan’s CommentLuv on her blog. (I LOVE that plugin!)
I enjoyed this post about the qualities of the great. As a wise man once said, “Success leaves clues.”
I found the 7 pillars to be bang-on, but one especially resonates with me, “It’s All in the Mind.”
I believe that the point of authenticity resides within each of us at our core. The challenge, in my opinion is that many people act in discord with their authentic self and intentions. This obviously creates unique challenges such as unfulfilled dreams and hopes, dissatisfaction with what life has presented, et cetera…
When we rise to the challenge of self responsibility in our understanding that all which we see and experience has more to do with us and OUR perceptions and subsequent actions than anything else, we realize a point of true liberation.
Don’t like the landscape you see today? Well fine, then change the lens. Recognize that we possess the power in our minds to alter any landscape. Til we know this within, we continue to live in “knee jerk” reactions which most likely undermine that which we truly wish for.
I think this is where it all begins. Get the mind straight and the @ss will follow!
Wonderful job on this post – much enjoyed! Hope to connect further with you.
Best regards,
Cat Alexandra
Cat Alexandra recently posted this awesomeness..Smart Media Technologies | Smart Media Desktop | Home Page Pays – A Review
Hey there Cat and Welcome!
It’s a pleasure to have you here. Any friend of Samantha is truly a friend of mine. In fact, it was Samantha that encouraged me when I was blogging on my WordPress.com site, to get self-hosted to acquire credibility as a writer. That was almost 10 months ago.
I’m a huge fan of CommentLuv myself. It’s proven itself time and time again. Andy rocked this plugin. 
Loved that wise man’s saying too. That has some powerful juice behind it. Success does leave us little breadcrumbs that we must open our hearts, eyes, and minds to see them. Great quote there, my friend.
You also continued your thoughts with some remarkable points. Many people have filtered their minds to thinking that certain things placed within them such as, dreams and visions, and even goals, are somehow mystical images of their imagination that have no real bearing on their life. I believe this is incredibly far from the truth. I believe that we all get these visions of what we want our life to be from something bigger than us, and I also think that if we get the idea or plan; we also come fully equipped to carry them out. We simply have to get past our own selves (ego) to get them done.
If we manage to take notice and hear our inner voice, we would soon learn that “the plan” would unfold as we apply action to what was placed inside of us.
I literally felt the words as I read your feedback! I know that individual of which you speak. He was me. I didn’t reach that “point of authenticity” until I acted upon the gift in me. I always knew it was there, but the fear of change petrified the living H-E Double hockey sticks out of me!
I was so afraid that it would bring such a change in my life that everything I knew would vanish around me. I know, I know… sounds ludicrous doesn’t it. But that’s where my mindset was. I needed to retrain it and set it on course to what I wanted my life to be like. It’s not about fame or fortune, although I will never turn that down; but it’s really about finding my true self and helping other’s to do the same.
I heard someone say once, if you want something to come into your life, help someone else get it; and it finds you.
That was truly what did it for me. I was hooked!
I had no idea it was as easy as “changing the lens”. 
Loved that, btw!
The world is all about perception. It’s as simple as seeing what we want even when it’s nowhere in sight. The mind must first begin to see the results, before our eyes could ever catch a glimpse of it.
Maya Angelou says, “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude about it.”
Once we change our perception, and depending very much on what we focus on the most, that is what becomes evident in our lives. Maybe not overnight, but it does show up.
Loved your feedback, my friend. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts here with me. Please feel free to come back anytime. I look forward to hearing from you. And I certainly plan on coming by your site to see more of your work as well.
I wish you the best in your present and future endeavors. Have a great week ahead of you!
Deeone recently posted this awesomeness..The 7 Keys of Greatness: What makes the Great great?
Hi Deeone,
I must say, this was a really great post.
“One thing it is never done… is given freely without any effort applied.” In my opinion, this itself is the key to the “Greatness kingdom”. Only the one who is willing to do the extra 5% (well… sometimes it might be the extra 200%) will become the one that people are looking up to. I think that the journey itself to success makes you that great person you’ll become.
Have an awesome day my friend.
Daniel
Daniel D. Lombardi recently posted this awesomeness..Inspirational Stories: Ben Underwood The Boy Who Sees Without Eyes
Hi Daniel,
I’m delighted to know that you enjoyed it, bro!
I absolutely agree with your thoughts here. I’m coming to believe just as you mentioned, that true greatness is found in the journey to success. That’s why a lot of people from a history stand point don’t get acknowledge as being great until after their death. There were a few that became great during their lifetime, but greatness to me is what happens when we’ve served others greatly. I really liked the part where you said, “Only the one who is willing to do the extra 5% (well… sometimes it be the extra 200%)…” That’s exactly what I believe it takes to reach greatness. Whether it takes that 5% or 200%, those that put forth the effort are the ones that reach that plateau in their lives. Good stuff, Daniel!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this one man! I know I have yet to leave my thoughts over at your place, but I have read some of your content; and I’m loving it. I will be dropping my thoughts on your website soon though.
Wishing you the best in your endeavors! Hope you’re having a fantastic week!
Thanks again for stopping in, my friend.
I totally agree in the phrase, it’s all in the mind. The more you think, the more you become it.
Thanks for stopping by Michael. I appreciate your thoughts on this. Cheers!
Deeone recently posted this awesomeness..Turn the Page