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I believe that self-leadership is a prerequisite for formal leadership. If you don’t have your own house in order, gaining devoted followers is a challenge. So, here’s a brief lesson in self-leadership with the help of both Curly The Trail Boss and America’s founding fathers.
In this film clip from City Slickers (includes the s-word), Curly Washburn (played by Jack Palance) shares his secret for life with Billy Crystal’s character, Mitch Robbins.
Curly tells Mitch that the secret to life is “one thing“. When Mitch asks “what’s that?” Curly tells him: “That’s what you’ve got to figure out. ”
How would you answer the question:
Curly was killed in the film before he could explain any further. So allow me to pick up where Curly left off.
As Americans, we embrace a common value system that our founding fathers eloquently stated in the Declaration of Independence.
We believe in certain Unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.
Americans are literally liberated to pursue happiness. But, how effective are we? More specifically; How effective are you? Do you take that right for granted? What can you do to benefit from this valuable, unalienable right?
These are deep questions. And since deep thought can be uncomfortable, all too many shun the mental exercise of exploring their own personal meaning for happiness. Who really teaches us what it means and how to go about it? Since Americans are inherently capitalists, our surface meaning often associates happiness with wealth and finance. Upon thinking deeper, we realize that there’s more to it.
If we don’t define happiness for ourselves, we are easily sucked in to pursuing other people’s definitions.
The most important self-leadership question is:
What is Your Purpose in Life?
This question prompts more meaningful queries…
Ask yourself this question:
Your thoughtful answer will provide the clarity needed to gain happiness more purposefully.
To paraphrase Victor Frankel,
Happiness is not something to be pursued. It is something that ensues.
As your activities align with your purpose success and happiness will follow.
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