The School of Greatness

Greatness is about fulfilling your own purpose, not someone else’s idea of success.

1. Defining Your Greatness Starts With a Personal Vision

Achieving greatness begins with recognizing that it is unique to each individual. It isn’t about societal benchmarks or external acclaim; instead, it’s about aligning your actions with your values, goals, and passions. Greatness is deeply personal, rooted in identifying what makes life meaningful for you.

To unlock this personal vision, ask yourself essential questions. Who do you want to become? What are you most passionate about? What kind of legacy do you want to leave? Cultivating this vision requires imagining what your ideal day would look like. It’s not just a dream but a practical exercise that helps clarify how you want to structure your time and energy.

By writing down this vision and making it concrete, you create a roadmap to focus your efforts. The exercise of picturing a perfect day reveals what truly matters — whether it’s spending time with loved ones, pursuing creative passions, or contributing to the community.

Examples

• An individual visualizes their ideal day starting with creative writing and dedicates an hour each day to their novel.
• A busy parent clarifies their priority as being engaged with their family and schedules daily quality time.
• An entrepreneur envisions growing their business through values-driven networking.

2. Overcoming Challenges Requires a Champion’s Mindset

The road to greatness is filled with obstacles, but how you approach these challenges defines your success. Action, rather than talent alone, differentiates those who achieve greatness from those who falter. Obstacles should be seen as one brick at a time, not unscalable walls.

Adopting a champion’s mindset means turning adversity into a challenge you can solve. This approach includes silencing the inner voice that says, “I can’t,” and replacing it with positive self-talk and purposeful action. Examples abound of individuals like Kyle Maynard, who defy odds not by lamenting their circumstances but by meeting challenges head-on.

Kyle Maynard, born with congenital limb amputations, achieved milestones many wouldn’t attempt, like climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. When he stopped focusing on what he couldn’t do and started acting, he unlocked opportunities to redefine his life.

Examples

• Kyle Maynard scaled a mountain on his elbows, proving perseverance overpowers physical limitations.
• An unemployed graduate tackled rejection letters by systematically applying to 10 new companies each day.
• A young athlete recovering from injury used daily rehabilitation drills as steps to return stronger.

3. Hustle and Habits Propel You Forward

Greatness doesn’t happen by accident; it is built through urgency and daily effort. Having a sense of purpose fuels your hustle, while habits create the structure to sustain momentum. Energy and focus are keys to this process.

Christian Howes, a jazz violinist, turned his life around after time in prison. He approached his music career with relentless effort by networking, performing, and promoting his work at every opportunity. This urgency, paired with disciplined habits like daily practice and outreach, set him apart.

Daily routines grounded in clear action steps ensure consistent progress. They transform big dreams into manageable tasks, whether in personal growth, career, or relationships. The effort you invest every day accumulates into measurable results over time.

Examples

• Christian Howes turned his prison experience into motivation, hustling daily to jumpstart his music career.
• A small business owner gains traction through daily customer outreach and social media updates.
• A writer commits to writing 500 words each morning, turning a habit into a completed manuscript.

4. Serve a Cause Greater Than Yourself

Tying your vision to something bigger than personal gratification amplifies motivation. Helping others or working for causes you care about provides deeper meaning to your efforts, even when the journey gets difficult.

Kyle Maynard’s climb of Mount Kilimanjaro wasn’t for self-promotion; it was to raise money for wounded veterans. That alignment with a meaningful goal helped him persevere in moments of struggle and garnered substantial attention and support.

Connecting your goals to service doesn’t mean abandoning personal ambition; it enhances it. A mission rooted in purpose ensures an ongoing source of inspiration, creating a sense of shared impact as you progress.

Examples

• Kyle Maynard raised funds for veterans while scaling Kilimanjaro, gaining wide recognition.
• An educator dedicates their work to underserved communities, finding fulfillment in student success.
• A graphic designer uses their skills to amplify awareness for environmental nonprofits.

5. Build Your Inner Circle for Support

Success requires cultivating a supportive community. No one climbs the mountain of greatness alone. Engaging mentors, peers, and friends builds encouragement and accountability, creating an environment where success feels inevitable.

The value of a strong inner circle lies in shared motivation and energy. Surrounding yourself with people who uplift and challenge you not only fosters progress but also makes the process enjoyable.

Taking inventory of your relationships is an essential first step. Identify those who energize and inspire you, and prioritize those connections while letting go of relationships that hold you back.

Examples

• A budding entrepreneur forms a mastermind group with like-minded peers for advice and accountability.
• Writers find motivation and camaraderie by joining critique groups.
• A fitness enthusiast maintains a weekly jogging routine with supportive friends.

6. Vulnerability Is a Strength

Embracing vulnerability unlocks deeper connections and authentic progress. Greatness doesn’t mean projecting perfection; it means being honest about struggles and being open to growth.

Author Lewis Howes found strength in openly sharing his journey through trauma. This vulnerability connected him more deeply with his podcast audience, enhancing both his work and his personal sense of fulfillment.

By facing and sharing life’s difficulties, you foster compassionate relationships and create bonds that support long-term growth. Vulnerability can shift the competitive or isolating aspects of success into shared human experiences.

Examples

• Lewis Howes shared his childhood trauma publicly, receiving overwhelming support.
• A manager creates better team trust by admitting their own mistakes and encouraging open communication.
• A motivational speaker integrates personal setbacks into their talks, sparking audience connection.

7. Gratitude Fuels Resilience

When setbacks occur, gratitude can be the fuel that keeps you moving forward. Remembering what is going right, and appreciating small victories, provides momentum when challenges feel exhausting.

Gratitude shifts focus away from the frustration of obstacles and onto progress and opportunity. It’s a mindset that encourages persistence and injects optimism during tough times.

Examples

• A marathon runner focuses on completing each mile rather than dwelling on how many remain.
• An employee reflects on skills gained in a tough role, instead of solely disliking their position.
• A musician appreciates the process of performing, even for small audiences early in a career.

8. Greatness Is a Journey, Not a Destination

Your greatness isn’t defined solely by the accomplishment of major goals. It lies in the continual effort to grow, adapt, and stay present in the process.

Staying open to change and learning, even as you progress, ensures that greatness evolves alongside your expanding insights and experiences. It’s this flexibility that allows for sustained fulfillment.

Examples

• A traveler seeking to visit every country embraces the beauty of each journey, not just destinations.
• A teacher continuously updates their methods to impact students in meaningful ways.
• A startup founder adjusts their approach based on feedback, driving long-term growth.

9. Passion and Connection Create Meaning

At the core of greatness is the ability to connect authentically, both with yourself and others. Passion drives the pursuit of goals while connection amplifies their impact.

Building meaningful relationships, supporting others, and staying true to passions ensures your greatness remains vibrant, relevant, and fulfilling.

Examples

• A chef finds joy crafting meals that bring families together.
• An artist thrives from both creative expression and conversations with those inspired by their works.
• An activist blends education and relationship-building to effect meaningful change.

Takeaways

1. Create a vision for your life by imagining your ideal day, and transform that vision into actionable goals.
2. Commit to daily habits that move you closer to your dream, leveraging both urgency and consistency.
3. Cultivate gratitude, practice vulnerability, and surround yourself with a supportive network to stay motivated and connected.