What to Be

I think just about everyone is familiar with the line from William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, when the young Hamlet says, “To be or not to be, that is the question.”  It is a fun line and one used in everything from cartoons to high drama.  What many do not know, or at least do not understand is that when Hamlet speaks these words he is contemplating suicide.  When many today may not be on the edge of taking their lives, they are contemplating whether or not to live.

                Life is full of decisions.  I am not talking here of decisions to do or not do something, but decisions to be or not be something.  Success-minded people know that to be a successful person in all areas of life is a choice we make, not a destiny that is thrust upon us.  For the person who wants to make a difference in the world, they live in and to be a success in more ways than just business or career, “to be or not to be…” is never a question.  You must be.

"Be bold

Be courageous

Be your best."

- Zig Ziglar

(1926-2012)

Author/Speaker

                What are these areas of decision that we must face?  I believe there are five key decisions that every success-minded person must not only make but must live.  These are to be a person of honor, work, manners, courage, and success.  Let’s look at these one at a time and define them so we can apply them to our lives.

1.       Be a Person of Honor

Honor is a forgotten term these days.  To be considered honorable is okay for those in the military, but for those in leadership, whether that be political or business, it is not so important.  The fact is, honor, or to be honorable, is a state we all must strive to in life.  To be a person of honor means we can be trusted, relayed on, and are responsible.  Honor means we have integrity, we are loyal and we do what is right because it is right.  People may not believe this is reasonable to expect from others, or ourselves, but we must expect no less.  The result of a lack of honor is too great.  C.S. Lewis stated it when he said, “ We make men without chests and expect from them virtue and enterprise. We laugh at honor and are shocked to find traitors in our midst.”

2.      Be a Person Who Works Hard

Never buy into the idea that hard work is something to be avoided.  If you want success in any area of life that can be career, family, personal, or spiritual, you will have to work for it.  And work hard.  Work is not something to be avoided or seen as unfair.  The fact is we get far more from work than a paycheck.  Hard work gives us a sense of fulfillment, well-being, ability, and dignity.  It is not by chance that with the decline in the workforce there is a decline in the integrity of the people.  In areas where there is less work, you will find more crime, more criminal behavior, and less moral structure.  Some may not like to recognize that, but it is a fact.  Hard work is an essential part of the human character.  We were created to work and to contribute.  Take that away, and you lose your identity.  However, when you are willing to work hard and to take action in life, nothing can hold back your success.

3.      Be a Person of Good Manners

Manners, like honor, seems to be a dated word.  When I have spoken to groups and told them of the importance of good manners, many look at me like I just grew another head.  That is because we see manners as what we use at the table, not a way of life.  Where I do believe good table manners is something to be strived for, it is not what I am talking about here.  Good manners are simply showing respect and kindness for others as well as for yourself.  That is it.  The godmother of good manners, Emily Post said it this way, “Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use.”

4.      Be a Person of Courage

If I have seen a lack of any quality in many good people, it is the lack of real courage.  Courage is not standing up to danger or to do things that are challenging.  Real courage, the kind of courage that takes all you have, is to stand for what is true and right.  Many look at the moral and integral decline in our culture and shake their heads in disgust.  What they do not understand is that if good and honorable people just stood fast for what is right and true, this would not be.  As so perfectly stated by Irish statesman, Edmund Burke, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”

5.      Be a Person of Success

Many people have a wrong understanding of being successful.  Some think it means that if you succeed, someone else must fail.  Some think that good and kind people do not succeed because to succeed means to be dishonest and mean.  Still, others think that success is only for a select few and not for the common person.  All are very wrong.  Success if the fulfillment of a worthy dream or goal.  We all have them.  It was what you were created to do.  Sometimes it may lead to the reward of wealth or possessions, and sometimes not.  Both ways, if you are doing what you desire to the best that you can, are successes.  Your success helps all others around you.  When you achieve, you help others achieve, and that is the real purpose of being successful.

You can learn more about Personal Development from author and speaker, John Patrick Hickey.  To get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com.    

© 2019 John Patrick Hickey. No part of this may be reprinted or published without the permission of the author.