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What Defines Us?

What Defines Us?

I saw a meme from Brian Tracy this week that made me think, what defines us? In our materialistic society, success is usually defined as money, power, titles, beauty and degrees. But is that really the definition of success? Most can argue that it is difficult to be a success without some of those things, but does that define us? There is a new television show I saw an ad for called The Filthy Rich Guide where the top .00001 percent of successful people spend their obscene amounts of money. Does that define us?

Don’t get me wrong, I like money and power as much as the next guy, but I do not believe it is what defines me. I believe Albert Einstein said it best with “Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.” I believe value is a much better definition to strive for than that of success. Does your definition include success or value?

Instead of striving for money, power, titles, beauty and degrees try to be valuable with this list from Brain Tracy:

  • Integrity—doing the right thing when no one else is looking
  • Generosity—giving generously and anonymously, without recognition
  • Humility—be humble about your success and accomplishments
  • Kindness—treat others equally, have the same respect for the janitor as the CEO
  • Authenticity—be true to yourself and who you really are, not what others want to see
  • Drive—without drive, passion and vision, you will never be able to help others

 

As simple as this sounds, it is not. It goes against our human nature, which is to thrive and survive. These things take a lot of work and we all fall short most of the time. It is really easy to be selfish and difficult to be selfless, but not impossible. Most of us want to be a value to others. It is Brian Tracy’s list that should define us and not the list of the filthy rich and how they spend their money.

Just food for thought? What does define us?

“The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.”—Bob Marley

Image by Stuart Miles images at www.freedigitalphotos.net

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Tim Wilhoit is owner/principal of Your Friend 4 Life Insurance Agency in Nashville, TN. He is a family man, father of 3, grandfather of 2, entrepreneur, insurance agent, life insurance broker, employee benefit specialist, salesman, sales trainer, recruiter, public speaker, blogger, author and team leader with over 30 years of experience in sales and marketing in the insurance and beverage industries.

6 Responses to What Defines Us?

  • Hey Tim, Mario here
    Please send out prayers for us Houston, Tx.
    Thanks,

    • Mario, I have had Houston and the rest of East TX in my thoughts and prayers. So sorry for this devastation. We went through it here in Nashville 7 years ago. It is just unbelievable the power of mother nature and the recovery period is long and hard. Stay strong my friend.

  • Great discussion, Tim Wilhoit! Thanks for posting this. I noticed that the “traditional” markers of success like money, power, and degrees are conferred by others, while Brian Tracy’s list are all things that come from inside us and do not depend on an external construct or system. Great food for thought as the week spins up.

  • “Another great read. Tim nails this. Take 3 minutes and find out what defines YOU!”

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