“If you want what normal people have, then do what normal people do.  If you want something different then you have to be a little different.” – Mark Uhlenberg

For all the talk you hear from people about striving for greatness, or chasing excellence, or achieving full potential, the reality is a little less elevating.  Most people are content not to actually do any of those things.  Most people are content to do whatever is comfortable.

You’ll never hear leaders say that out loud.  Just like you’ll never hear anybody say that they like the idea of excellence, but they really don’t want to put in the time or effort.  But their actions give them away.

The best leaders don’t think or act that way.  The best leaders really do want greatness and excellence and to achieve their full potential.  And they understand that those things don’t happen by just being comfortable, or by never failing, or by only working twenty-hour weeks.

Look at yourself in the mirror.  What are you really striving for?  Do you really want to be a great leader?  What are you willing to do to make that happen?  What comfort zones are you willing to step out of?  How much effort are you willing to give?

Be brutally honest with yourself.  If you truly want to be a great leader, it won’t be easy.  You can’t just roll along with life like most people.  You can’t just be OK being OK.  You can’t just get to a certain level and then decide you’re going to spend the next thirty years coasting into retirement.

If you still want to be a truly great leader, then start making a map for yourself.  Think about the skills you’re going to need.  Think about the behaviors you’re going to have to model.  Think about all the tools you’re going to need.  Then put together a plan for getting all of that stuff.

It won’t be easy.  In fact, it will definitely be difficult.  And it will absolutely not be what everybody else is doing.  While they’re busy being comfortable, you’re going to be struggling and straining and pushing.  Enjoy the ride.