BY JOHN M. BUCKMAN III
You are somebody, an important person and a unique individual with great abilities and versatility. Unfortunately, many people don’t realize what they have and never come close to taking full advantage of their gifts and resources. The real challenge, the real reward, is to take who you are and what you are capable of doing and create the means to achieve your dreams. Having the heart of a leader is to discover self-reliance, to acquire the stamina to preserve, and to have the ability to develop the vital qualities necessary for success.
Successful people still encounter disappointments and frustrations, but it is the way they respond to problems that makes them different from those who are overwhelmed by difficult situations. The challenge is to remain optimistic and confident. Being enthusiastic about what you can accomplish and the means by which you will realize your dreams is what confidence is all about.
Problems can cause unhappiness and defeat you if you allow them to. Don’t try to avoid the reality of possible delays or complications. Instead, remain confident; the ultimate attainment of your goals is within reach. Take advantage of the powerful resources already within you. At the heart of confidence are determination, self-reliance, and a security in your own purpose.
Everyone has, at one time or another, experiences that are painful or unpleasant. Some individuals are destroyed by such experiences; others are able not only to survive intact but also to discover the “backbone” to allow them to become successful.
Courage is manifested in many different ways. It is also apparent in individuals who choose a goal and exhibit the determination, self-reliance, and energy needed to realize their ambition.
Expectations make all the difference in your quest for success. They can be more important than aspirations or desires. You must expect to succeed. Remain optimistic about the outcome of your goals, despite temporary disappointments. Concentrate on your preparation instead of assuming that you have a negligible chance for success.
The famous story of Babe Ruth is an excellent example of the power of expectation. “The Bambino” stood at the plate and pointed with his bat to where he intended to hit the baseball. After hitting it into the exact section to which he pointed, he told reporters it had never entered his mind that he would not fulfill his promise. He had his heart set on hitting a home run and nothing was going to prevent him from accomplishing his goal.
It is truly amazing how capable people are of living up to their expectations.
It is important to believe in what you are doing and to know who you are. To become a leader, you must be realistic about yourself and your organization. Consider what strengths you possess and what you are capable of achieving. If you have confidence in your abilities and make wise use of your resources, you will be successful.
People often overlook their very best qualities. Unfortunately, they don’t realize how unique they are or how unlimited their potential. They remain unaware of their capabilities and deny the possibility that they, too, can aspire to goals previously beyond their reach. They remain steadfast in their belief that they are incapable of leadership success. Don’t make the mistake of thinking attributes such as enthusiasm, patience, perseverance, and adaptability are minor details of little or no use to real success. Individuals with these valuable attitudes are being sought in every field.
Many people have a very distorted notion of how things are actually accomplished. In sports, for example, they only see athletes suddenly becoming champions; they are unaware of the effort that preceded the triumphs.
A specific goal makes it easier to understand what you want to achieve. Your plan should be stated in a way that leaves no question as to the final outcome. When you design a plan with a definite objective, it puts you in charge of the final result. Being precise will give your ideas more clarity and direction; they will have greater purpose and meaning. It also helps you work harder to succeed.
When goals are written, they become more concrete. In addition, writing down your intentions will help you to remember them. The physical act of putting on paper various concepts, strategies, and guidelines reinforces them in your mind. You then become more aware of what is necessary to achieve these goals.
After you have written your objectives, be sure to review them as often as possible. Although revisions can be made if circumstances change, it is necessary to create as decisive a plan as possible. Committing to paper exactly what you desire and how to achieve it is a technique that produces positive results. What you write down, what you truly believe in, and what your mind accepts will determine what you achieve.
A variety of plans can help you attain goals, but ultimately the depth of your commitment will determine your success. Simply wishing success will somehow happen cannot cause or even influence the achievement of your objectives. Optimism, enthusiasm, intensity, and excitement constitute the basis of motivation and success. However, much depends on how wisely you channel those qualities.
To become reality, intentions must be accompanied by a measure of energy and effort. Reach out and grab what you want with both hands. You will then be in charge of your own life and have a specific purpose. Develop the determination to achieve your plans regardless of obstacles, criticism, or situations. Don’t settle for less than the complete fulfillment of your dreams.
Everyone experiences problems or difficulties on occasion. Most people don’t realize that what they view as occasionally frustrating interruptions, delays, or complications can actually be beneficial. They can help you become more determined. Leaders must have a belief in themselves that is more powerful than the problems, inconveniences, or obstructions they encounter.
It is also important to define a situation before you take action. Simply defining the problem will help you see the opportunity within and create an even better solution. By working with other team members, you can often discover outstanding possibilities that lead to new plans and ideas.
Winston Churchill’s motto was, “The price of greatness is responsibility.” Conscientious, reliable people who can excel under pressure, meet obligations, and assume leadership are increasingly sought by the world and virtually every organization in society. People are motivated by fair, decisive leaders who are in command of the situation. If you build a reputation as someone willing to make important decisions and “to shoulder responsibility,” you will have an excellent chance to succeed in any endeavor. Although problems may arise that discourage ambitions, a leader does not sit on the sidelines and hope that someone else will assume authority or resolve the situation. When a major decision must be made, the outstanding individual does not try to pass the buck.
On any given Sunday, there will be 22 football players who take the field or 18 baseball players who will try to change the score of the game. At the same time, there will be players on both teams sitting on the benches, telling everyone else what to do, commenting on their team and the opposing team, trying to get the coach’s ear, cheering on their team … but they can’t change the score unless they play.
At the same time, thousands and thousands of fans will be in the stands, cheering, drinking soft drinks, eating hot dogs, shouting obscenities, saying bad things about the players and the coaches … but they can’t change the score.
At the same time, people at home may be watching the same game on television doing the same things those in the stadium are doing … but they can’t change the score either.
Only the people on the field and in the game can change the score. The rest sit on benches, in the bleachers, and on the recliner.
My question to you is, “Do you want to change the score?”
Do you want to know what a leader looks like? Look at those who are in the game, making a difference in their department and community.
JOHN M. BUCKMAN III is chief of the German Township (IN) Volunteer Fire Department in Evansville, Indiana, where he has served for 27 years, and a past president of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC). He was instrumental in forming the IAFC’s Volunteer Chief Officers Section and is past chairman. He is secretary-treasurer of the National Fire Academy Alumni Association, is an advisory board member of Fire Engineering, and lectures extensively on fire service-related topics.
