According to the New Oxford American Dictionary, “Greatness” is defined as: “The quality of being great, distinguished, eminent”. But what does greatness really mean?
In today’s day and age, “greatness” is a term thrown around from all ages and social media platforms that we, as a society, use very loosely. It seems like we have gotten away from the true definition of the word and lessened the value and power that comes with it. For example, when we hear the term “greatness”, we think of people like Tom Brady, Drake, and Beyoncé, as these people have earned their right to be on front pages and mentioned in headlines. As for the rest of us, however, we don’t have to be the next Tom Brady, or the next Beyoncé. By definition, greatness can be achieved in many different fashions.
One common misconception about greatness is that you can only be great at one thing. “A Jack of all trades is a master of none”, they say. Contrary to this statement, Greatness cannot be achieved if you only apply your best self in one area of your life. The true art of greatness is displayed in your character. One thing we must ask ourselves when chasing greatness is; what do we value most? Do we value money, fame, love, family? The answer to this question will guide you towards greatness. Being cognitive of your personal values will align directly with how your greatness is perceived. What kind of person are you when no one is looking? As the old saying goes, “how you do one thing is how you do everything”. The character of a great is far better than any other ability they might have. The main goal of the best is to be their best. That being said, it is unlikely that a great will take shortcuts in any area of their life, as they are the best at EVERYTHING they do. These people are the type of people who put away the shopping cart when they are finished, or pick up a piece of garbage instead of walking by for someone else to do it. Details and the little things matter the most to these people, and that’s what makes them great.
That being said, achieving greatness isn’t just about becoming a million dollar influencer, greatness is a culmination of character and commitment, to apply the best version of yourself in everyday life. Greatness is not a social status or an identity, but a way of life.
