I spent the weekend binge-watching motivational videos on YouTube. I came across Simon Sinek’s video, which has many relatable truths, and I want to share some of them with you.
Working hard for something we don’t care about is called “stress”. Working hard for something we love is called “passion”. — Simon Sinek
The common mistake that people make is misinterpreting their job as their life’s purpose. They embrace work-life integration to the extent that they confuse their job with their purpose. And then, when they lose their job, they lose their sense of purpose, waking up every day not knowing what to do.
Does this sound familiar to you? If it does, it means you have been pursuing the wrong things.
Understanding what drives and inspires you is important. What is even more important is never to tie them to something you cannot hold on to.
In the video, Simon introduced five little rules to help you find your spark and bring your spark to life. The 5th rule is especially relevant and where most people failed at.
1) Go after the things you want
There are two ways to see the world.
“Some people see the thing that they want, some people will see the thing that prevents them from getting the thing that they want.”
Simon uses a story to illustrate this observation, Simon could see the free bagels as the reward for the runners who completed the race, and his friend could only see the long line.
If you can go after what you want, you cannot deny others from going after what they want!
2) Take accountability for your actions
Take accountability, and your problem may disappear. Simon uses the black death of childbirth from the 18th century to illustrate the importance of taking accountability for your lapse. Often our problems are self-created, and if we dare to acknowledge our mistakes or weaknesses, the problem is already half resolved.
If you can’t even see or recognise your own weakness or problems, you can’t solve your problems.
3) Take care of each other
One of the most important qualities of a person is his willingness to help others. Simon uses the US Navy seals to deliver this argument. The people who made it through to become Seals are those that can somehow find the energy to help the guy next to them when they themself are shivering in fear, spent both physically and emotionally.
If you want to be an elite warrior, it is not about how tough you are, how smart you are, or how fast you are. To be an elite warrior, you must be good at helping the people next to you.
4) Be the last to speak
Nelson Mandela, a universally regarded example of a great leader, would go to tribal meetings with his father, and he observed two things; they would sit in a circle, and his father would be the last to speak.
Simon uses Mandela’s observation as an example to describe the importance to hold your opinion. Being the last to speak achieve two things 1) it gives everyone else the feel they have been heard and contributed; 2) you get the benefit to hear what everybody thinks before you render your opinion.
If you agree with somebody, don’t nod “yes.” If you disagree with somebody, don’t nod “no.” Simply sit there, take it all in and the only thing you are allowed to do is ask questions, so you can understand why they have the opinion they have and not just what they are saying.
5) Don’t confuse yourself with your job
It is good to be doing what you like as a job. Be grateful but never take for granted the perks your position offers. Always remember you are only worth a styrofoam cup.
Simon told a story about a former undersecretary of defence who was invited to give a speech at a large conference. He related when he was invited to speak at the same conference last year as the undersecretary, he flew in with VIP treatment and was served coffee in a ceramic cup. But this year, he flew in by himself and had to pour himself a coffee in a styrofoam cup. He said, “The lesson is the ceramic cup was never meant for me, it was meant for the position I held. I deserve the styrofoam cup.”
Be grateful as you gain fortune and seniority. You can enjoy the perks, but never let them be the elements that drive and inspires you. Understand the styrofoam cup story. One day when you are no longer in that position, you will lose the perks, and if you can’t adjust, you may lose yourself too.
“I have learned that success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has had to overcome while trying to succeed.” – Booker T. Washington
Click on the link below to watch Simon’s video in full.
Thank you for reading to the end. I hope you have enjoyed it.
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After reading your article, I had to see the video for myself. He's very watchable. I appreciate your summary of the talk...well said. And love the other comments that serve as a reminder of how much is available to watch or read that can be inspiring, uplifting, and motivating. A good use of time!
Nice summary. I don't always have the time (or attention span) to watch videos. Other times I'll binge watch. Thanks ADHD, hehe.
Now I have something else to add to my list. The insights and pointers make sense. Sometimes hearing it from someone outside my own head solidifies things to become actionable.