Just doin’ my job…

The more I study REAL heroes, the more impressed I am by their HUMILITY. It seems the higher a REAL hero climbs, the less inclined they are to boast about it. They just do it. No touchdown dance. No Lambeau Leap. No mugging for the camera or beating their drum. Just a quiet calm, in fact.

You can find REAL heroes in the business world; those who LEAD with the HUMILITY that allows their TEAM to take the credit that THEY all truly deserve. If you’re lucky, you might even work for one. Many of our clients do.

Throughout history, great LEADERS of nations and of critical causes have done the same thing. They’ve parked their ego and have simply given their all, often their lives, simply because it was the “right thing to do”, or because they “just loved doing it”, or both.

I’ve read about dozens of REAL heroes, and have also been touched by a few in my own life. The doctors who delivered my tiny twins, and the ones who took care of my father. Many of my children’s teachers are REAL heroes, especially those unlocking the minds of kids with special needs. And there’s the U.S. soldier I spoke with for an hour one morning, as we waited in line to clear security in the Orlando airport. I was heading home to see my children, and she was blowing good-bye kisses to hers, as she headed BACK to Iraq for a second tour. Each is a REAL hero. But you’d never hear THEM say that. Usually, they’re the ones saying something like, “I’m just doin’ my job.” I love that.

I just saw a story about two men, who did something I consider heroically inspirational, but who didn’t see themselves as REAL heroes at all.

This past October, at the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, Scott Rigsby swam 2.4 miles, rode his bike 112 miles, and ran 26.2 miles, thus earning the right to be called an IRONMAN. Scott is 39 years old, and Scott is missing both legs below the knee. If you ask him how he did it, Scott will simply tell you, “I’ve had a lot of support.”

That same day, Charlie Plakson also swam 2.4 miles, rode his bike 112 miles, and ran 26.2 miles to become an IRONMAN. Charlie is 64 years old, and Charlie is blind. When asked how he possibly managed this feat, Charlie struggled to even agree that his accomplishment was all that special. Can you imagine?? Conquering 140 miles of swimming, riding and running, all in one day, at the age of 64…BLIND?!? (I can hardly get from my bed to the toilet in the dark.) As the interviewer pushed harder, a humble, but clearly excited Charlie, finally had this to say:

“I had embedded in my head that I have what I need to survive, and that is that. You can’t focus on what you don’t have ’cause you’re never gonna have it. Why don’t you focus on a way to perform and be a responsible person in society, and then let it go at that? If people can just put away what their problems are and focus on what they have, then they can feel like me. I feel like a kid. I feel like a little kid! You could stay secure in your job and wait for retirement, or you can just go out there and pick up a challenge.”

How about you?

Do you BOAST your accomplishments or TOAST your team?

What’s embedded in YOUR head?

Do you focus on what you DON’T have or on what you DO?

Do YOU feel like a “little kid?”

Are you “waiting for retirement” or “picking up a challenge”?

Tell me more…

Doug