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

Leadership¹

Optimism

Persistence

Self-Confidence

Self-Knowledge

*** 

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

Courage enables Conviction

Courage enables Creativity

Courage enables positive Change  

***

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

revisited - the article originally posted May 10, 2008 [this post contains a few enhancements]

"When you chase your tail ‘literally’, you get dizzy and exhausted; when you chase your tail ‘figuratively’, you get distracted and confused."

That thought came to me recently while I was watching a documentary about dogs and their relationships with humans.  Apparently, humans bred certain dogs – in effect humans genetically re-engineered the dogs – so the dogs possessed genes that enabled them to be better hunters. For some of these dogs, the genetic changes got out of control and one of the repercussions is some dogs chase their tails excessively… much like a dog could behave if it had obsessive-compulsive disorder. Some dogs spend most of their free time chasing their tails…to the point of their utter exhaustion and human’s annoyance/frustration. To remedy the tail-chasing problem, dogs are being medicated with Prozac [an anti-depressant that, for some people and dogs, reduces anxiety].

I’ve always wondered what drives some dogs to make a habit of chasing their tails.

Now, I have another possible explanation to keep in mind.

And now, I'm thinking if humans had tails then we would see some humans chasing their tails just like dogs do. And, no doubt some of these humans would end up receiving prescriptions for Prozac and other medications.

But, we know humans do not have tails so they cannot ‘literally’ chase their tails at this point in time. However, humans can and do chase their tails ‘figuratively’.

And…

"When you chase your tail ‘literally’, you get dizzy and exhausted; when you chase your tail ‘figuratively’, you get distracted and confused."

When you are 'in the zone', using your natural talents, your willpower is able to take a time out, rest, and rejuvenate. When you are 'in the zone', focus, attention, and concentration come easily to you so you do not need to draw upon your willpower to sustain productive thoughts or productive action. 

You may have difficulty pinpointing your true talents...many people do. 

On the other hand, most people have no trouble knowing when they are 'in the zone'...or, conversely, when they are 'not in the zone'.

When we are 'in the zone' time seems to pass more quickly. When we are 'in the zone' the routes to goals are clearer - thoughts align, actions fall into place naturally, and desired results just happen. When we are 'in the zone' our minds are free from worries and other negative thoughts. 

When we are 'in the zone' we use energy most efficiently and effectively - this applies to both energy for thought and energy for action.

When we are 'in the zone' we give our willpower a time out...we provide it time to rest and recuperate from all the energy it consumes when we are not 'in the zone' [i.e., when we are plodding our way through tedious work, clawing and scratching our way though meaningless battles, etc.]

If we want to use our energy efficiently and effectively then we must maximize the time we spend 'in the zone'. To accomplish this we must understand our talents and ensure we set aside enough time for them to find themselves in action 'in the zone'.

'In The Zone' = Flow