Leadership, Self-Development, and the "Committment to Growth"

Written by Jeffrey M. Miller


There is a common phrase that says: "You can't teach an old dog new tricks." I know that most of us have heard it. The problem is that we all too often take it, and other so-called "conventional wisdom" as truth.

Read that phrase again: "You can't teach an old dog new tricks."

What is conjured up in your mind - what do you think of - when you contemplate those words?

If you're like most, you believe, for whatever reason, that after a certain age, you can't learn anything new. That, after a certain point, an 'old dog' cannot do anything about who they are or what they are able to do to changerepparttar course of their life and it's direction, level of happiness or ability to producerepparttar 122712 results that they would like to see.

The old dog inrepparttar 122713 phrase doesn't have to be 'old' inrepparttar 122714 sense of years though. I've met many people several years my junior, who believe that because they've done so many things a certain way, that, for them at least, any other way is out ofrepparttar 122715 question.

And therein liesrepparttar 122716 theme for this article. For, it isrepparttar 122717 belief in so-called 'truths' like this one that most often prevents otherwise powerful people - individuals filled withrepparttar 122718 potential for greatness - to break through torepparttar 122719 happiness and success they seek.

Although, there are many that contribute to your overall progress, we'll be focusing onrepparttar 122720 success trait of 'commitment.' The dictionary describes commitment as a 'duty,' 'promise,' 'responsibility,' or 'pledge.' And, each of these key words can be used to focus our intention on breaking free of these self and outwardly imposed limiting beliefs to unleash our own power to be what we choose. Understanding with clarity and focus will allow us to set up our lives in a way that danger cannot touch us, and if it did it would be dealt with . . . quickly and decisively.

Let's look at each of these 'keys' to commitment, as they relate torepparttar 122721 concept of Warriorship and our desire to engagerepparttar 122722 world in a positive, productive, way in order to better understand why we must grabrepparttar 122723 opportunity (or as a great poet reminded us to "seizerepparttar 122724 day!") for growth whenever possible.

Duty

Related torepparttar 122725 concept of leadership, each one of is a role model inrepparttar 122726 life of at least one other person. Regardless of whether you are a parent or not, someone is looking at how you move, act, speak andrepparttar 122727 like. And, they are deciding for themselves about these actions. If they like what they see, even if you would call something a bad habit, they may embrace that 'habit' as a truth to be lived up to. They want to be "just like you." If we are truly concerned aboutrepparttar 122728 fate of others and our influence over their lives in a positive way, it is our duty to berepparttar 122729 best 'example' that we can be. We don't have to literally be a teacher, or have a job whose official title says "leader," but, we are an example that others are following. The question we must ask ourselves is, "how do I take control ofrepparttar 122730 way I inspire or motivate others?"

Promise

This key can be seen to be a reflection ofrepparttar 122731 water realm of clarity and truth andrepparttar 122732 wind realm of accomplishment through action. When we make a promise, we communicate something, inrepparttar 122733 form of a truth that others can rely on. Much likerepparttar 122734 commitment that two people make to each other when they get married, a promise isrepparttar 122735 creation of something that creates safety and security for another. And, it isrepparttar 122736 outward, 'other' focus that make a promise an important aspect of commitment and our ability to get necessary help from others when we need it. The question here is, "what benefit will others (and myself) receive if I succeed in my endeavor?"

The Power of the Leader Within - The Keys to Martial Arts Life Mastery, Key#1

Written by Jeffrey M. Miller


"What do you want to be when you grow up?"

Remember that question from your younger days? Adults seem almost programmed to ask it, don't they? Maybe you remember asking that same question to your own or another's child recently. Remember?

I do.

And - do you remember any of your own answers to that question? I know it probably changed many times throughoutrepparttar process of "growing up" but can you remember some ofrepparttar 122711 answers?

I remember some of mine: policeman, fireman, architect, lawyer. I'm sure there were more but can't remember too many at this point. What I do remember isrepparttar 122712 feeling that went along withrepparttar 122713 decision of choosing one or another. It was a feeling of being in a position of importance. To be able to help others in need or to be looked upon with respect and admiration because I created something really great.

I didn't know it then but I was expressingrepparttar 122714 drive to be a leader. Maybe notrepparttar 122715 'top' leader like a general orrepparttar 122716 president but a leader who made things happen inrepparttar 122717 world. I wanted to be someone who leadrepparttar 122718 way, not followed. Many people would say that I, and many greater men and women before me were born or destined to be leaders - as though fate had somehow selected us at birth to be who we are today. I know that many believe that leaders are born, but I can assure you that leaders are made.

Contrary to popular belief, birth has nothing to do with being a leader. However, learning to developrepparttar 122719 traits of confidence, compassion, respect, and many more, do. Having a vision andrepparttar 122720 ability to communicate that vision to others - setting down a workable plan and havingrepparttar 122721 discipline to act upon that plan untilrepparttar 122722 vision, goal or dream has become real inrepparttar 122723 world - arerepparttar 122724 signs of a leader.

I believe that whenever we feelrepparttar 122725 drive to step out of our day-to-day routine - to volunteer time and energy to a local cause likerepparttar 122726 fire department, Scouts, or other group - and yes, to join a martial arts school - we are seeking to get back to that drive toward leadership.

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