By: Kolby Ledbetter, Staff, Humanities & Social Sciences
“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them.”
This William Shakespeare line has be quoted and paraphrased in countless movies, plays, books, and casual conversations. When you hear the words “greatness” or “leadership,” this is probably one of the first things that comes into your mind.
This is one of my least favorite quotes of all time. You want to know why?
It’s limiting. It leaves things up to chance.
Some are born great? You were born a naked, confused, screaming baby. You were born after your mother spent hours thrusting you out of her. And while the miracle of childbirth is in fact a miracle, you were not born great. You were born with the potential to be great.
Some achieve greatness? Some? Okay, that’s pretty limiting. Why can’t everyone achieve greatness? When you hear the word greatness, you probably picture some rich person, a famous athlete, a president, an accomplished actor. Honestly, how have we determined that? Greatness isn’t having millions of dollars. Greatness isn’t being a popular face. Greatness isn’t winning.
Greatness is the little things. It’s knowing that you matter and knowing that you are a part of something that matters. It’s letting people know that they matter. And anyone can achieve greatness.
Some have greatness thrust upon them? Are we reducing greatness to luck and good fortune? Greatness is also hard work. It’s passion. It’s not having things thrust on you. It’s thrusting yourself on things and making a difference.
Thrust yourself into greatness.
Nobody was born great. Anyone can achieve greatness. With hard work, passion, and the right reasons, you might just thrust yourself into greatness.
Don’t just sit back. The one thing that I think William Shakespeare got right in that quote was the beginning: “Do not be afraid of greatness.”
Being a leader and being involved is something that people are afraid of. We focus so much on using the same people over and over again when we should focus on expanding and serving others.
I begged to be on Helen and Wesley’s staff because I know this is how they feel. It’s time for a change. It’s time to care about students. It’s time to take everything we've learned and make it matter.
“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them.”
This William Shakespeare line has be quoted and paraphrased in countless movies, plays, books, and casual conversations. When you hear the words “greatness” or “leadership,” this is probably one of the first things that comes into your mind.
This is one of my least favorite quotes of all time. You want to know why?
It’s limiting. It leaves things up to chance.
Some are born great? You were born a naked, confused, screaming baby. You were born after your mother spent hours thrusting you out of her. And while the miracle of childbirth is in fact a miracle, you were not born great. You were born with the potential to be great.
Some achieve greatness? Some? Okay, that’s pretty limiting. Why can’t everyone achieve greatness? When you hear the word greatness, you probably picture some rich person, a famous athlete, a president, an accomplished actor. Honestly, how have we determined that? Greatness isn’t having millions of dollars. Greatness isn’t being a popular face. Greatness isn’t winning.
Greatness is the little things. It’s knowing that you matter and knowing that you are a part of something that matters. It’s letting people know that they matter. And anyone can achieve greatness.
Some have greatness thrust upon them? Are we reducing greatness to luck and good fortune? Greatness is also hard work. It’s passion. It’s not having things thrust on you. It’s thrusting yourself on things and making a difference.
Thrust yourself into greatness.
Nobody was born great. Anyone can achieve greatness. With hard work, passion, and the right reasons, you might just thrust yourself into greatness.
Don’t just sit back. The one thing that I think William Shakespeare got right in that quote was the beginning: “Do not be afraid of greatness.”
Being a leader and being involved is something that people are afraid of. We focus so much on using the same people over and over again when we should focus on expanding and serving others.
I begged to be on Helen and Wesley’s staff because I know this is how they feel. It’s time for a change. It’s time to care about students. It’s time to take everything we've learned and make it matter.