What awesome power lies in the combination of strong willpower guided by strong definite life-purpose.

Willpower is wonderful, but without proper guidance it consumes energy without purpose.

Definite purpose is wonderful, but without willpower to guide and control action it is unattainable.

When strong and combined, willpower and definite purpose are destined to succeed…and be accompanied by lives well lived.

Are you living on purpose?

Are you living with willpower?

Are you living on purpose with willpower?

If not, why not…

• Through ignorance...you've never learned about purpose and willpower?
• Through lack of hope...you do not believe you have the ability to change/determine your fate?
• Because you doubt purpose and willpower are the key ingredients...you think there is a better way?

There's no question –  some people crave intelligence recognition.  

And some other folks don't seem to care whether they are viewed as intelligent.

Let's consider, for a moment, the people who want to be seen and thought of as intelligent. They appear in two forms: people who send strong outward signals that they are seeking intelligence-approvals, intelligence "pats on the back". These people often tell you they are intelligent, expecting you to agree with them. Sometimes these communications about their intelligence become the prevailing topic of their conversation.

Then there are others who are shy in their interactions but somehow you know they are seeking respect for their level of intelligence. These people shine quietly when compliments come their way.

Intelligence reigns...when self-control and drive stand at its sides. 

Courage is our company’s Key Value.

In summary, we have chosen Courage for our Key Value because:

1. Courage enables Self-Knowledge and
2. When it is backed by Courage, Self-Knowledge can be the foundation of most, if not all, other major values, traits, qualities, and attributes that contribute to character.

If our personal value systems are like dominoes then Courage must be the first domino of desirable character. When it comes to personal character, no other domino can take the place of Courage.

Dominoes fall in sequence… 

 Courage

Self-Knowledge

Self-Confidence

That domino sequence was simplified…in practice, it would be a more complicated sequence:

 Courage

Self-Knowledge

Self-Education

Self-Confidence

Here I mean ‘Self-Education’ in its broadest sense. It includes other dominoes like introspection and [if we want it to] autosuggestion [self-talk]. The main point is, when Courage is present Self-Confidence can grow. If we remove Courage then Self-Confidence cannot grow. Courage enables Self-Confidence. With dedication, Self-Confidence can be self-taught. Coaches can help us understand the dominoes but they cannot give them to us. We have to create our own dominoes and we have to use them regularly.

The process of developing Self-Confidence only works if it is backed by Courage.

***

Self-Confidence is a ‘great enabler’.

Courage is the ‘great enabler’. 

*** 

We may have different views about the routes the dominoes of personal character take.

But, we should agree Courage enables some very-positive things…

Action

Decisiveness

Enthusiasm

Faith

Hope

Inspiration

Leadership*

Optimism

Persistence

Self-Confidence

Self-Knowledge

***  

Considering all these dominoes linked to Courage, it is easy to see...

Courage enables positive Change  

***

Footnote:  In his 1937 classic, ‘Think and Grow Rich’, Napoleon Hill selected ‘Unwavering Courage” as the #1 attribute of Leadership. 

Originally posted on May 10^th, 2008