A few years I put up a To-Do List at my desk. It was a simple list with just one item, to become world class. At the time I was reading about what separated the middle class from the “world class,” that is those who are ultra successful. I’ve always wanted to be ultra successful, not just in money but in magnitude. So I created the to-do list with that one simple item.
While researching how the world class are different I learned it’s not the money, power, prestige or position but rather a mentality. The world class are not afraid of failure, they’re not afraid to take chances, they have a confidence that they will come out ahead. In cases where they fail it’s just a lesson, not the end. They never stop learning, never stop trying, never stop engaging, they always continue. I learned being world class is a choice one chooses.
We live in a society that loves to label – tall, short, smart, dumb, republican, democrat, shy, outgoing, high class, low class. This is something I despise. Labels may help in understanding each other but they cannot and never should they be used to define people. When we use the labels of high class, low class, world class we automatically think in terms of financial status. That is a very lazy way to view others – again something I despise. If we are going to use labels at all, which we will, let’s try to use them in constructive ways.
Being world class goes beyond money, it’s the essence of the person you are, who you choose to be. Being world class is about making yourself better, pursuing your interests and loves, striving toward those good and pure things that make life worth living. It has absolutely nothing to do with your status in society, how much money you have. I have met wealthy people who have no class and those with limited means with absolute class. I have met people from all walks of life and have found world class people in all levels. We need to rethink our definition of world class.
Being world class is a lifestyle not a status of life. It’s how we choose to live, how we choose to handle ourselves in all situations. It’s in what we pursue and why, it’s in being our better selves. It’s about having manners – the yes pleases and thank yous. It’s about helping others and not just ourselves. It’s about taking responsibility for our actions, the good and bad. It’s about being courteous and holding the door open for others. It’s about those good and pure things in life.
So what do you do to be world class? Is this something you actively pursue? Is this something you have been thinking about doing? Or has it even crossed your mind that there is a better way of living? What ever place you are coming from we all can strive to be better. In the end it’s not about if your high class or low class but if your world class. Pursue world class!
Attempt it. Chance it. Try it. Get to It!