Respect Over Popularity: The Path to Success
There is how this life uses funny way to teach us what truly matters. We often are always caught up of the need to be liked, we always crave for that warmth feeling when people greet and smile at us or just laugh at the jokes that we make.
Here is the hard truth, being like is very good, but respect is what actually paves the way to real success. Get this picture into your brain. Do you love your gate man? Yes of course, you should like your gateman because he always act nice, greeting you and smiling. But do you respect him? No you will not respect him like the way you respect some who earned their place by working hard on ther skill and keeping their integrity, never.
Think about your boss at your workplace. Some of us don't even like our boss because they can be overbearing, you might not like their personality but you respect them, a because you know their value and worth, they get things done easily and they command authority. This is just the big difference and that can really shape your life and how you see it.
This life is not a popularity contest. Elections can be about the person who have the ability to charm the crowd. But life is about success, the ability to achieve goals, making that difference and leaving a legacy behind.
After all this, without respect, success will be like building a house on sand. It might look very beautiful but it will never last. Respect is the solid foundation that holds everything together. It what makes people to trust and follow your lead by believing in you.
Have you thought about the people you admired most, maybe a mentor, teacher, a colleague who knows how to do the job better, or even a public figure who always stands for what he believes. There big chances that you will respect them so much. Sometimes they are not the most likeable but they have earned that respect. They have stayed disciplined, worked hard and stayed glued to their value.
That is definitely the kind of person you are supposed to be, the one that walks into a room and commands attention, not because they are the most friendly ones to be with, but because they have proven over time that they are worth sparing the time to listen to.
Don't get me wrong, being lack is not and never a bad thing. It is very good to have freinds that you laugh and connect with. But all you chase are likes at the detriment of loosing your respect, you are just limiting yourself.
Imagining being in a job where and everyone likes you because you are always fun to be with and make everyone laughs, but when it is time to take that big decision, no one remembers you. That is a big trap. You might feel good for a moment, but when it is time for promotion and the most important benefits, you will be left behind, and you be wondering why.
Respect is what get you in that room. It is what makes people to listen to you when you speak, trust that you saying the right thing and follow your lead.
So how do we earn this respect? It is simple, but it takes lot's of hard work. You have to keep showing up consistently. Always keep to your word. Be sincere, even when it seems hard to compromise. Always stand up for what you believe in, even when it is not accepted by those around you. And the most important one, respect yourself, because it is only when you value yourself that others would. This is not just about being perfect, it is about being real or sincere, and being that person that others can count on.
Respect is a currency that increases in value overtime. The more you earn it, the more doors it opens. People who not only see you as a nice and funny guy, but as someone who is worth being with. That person who can make things happen. And that is where success dwell. Not by being liked.
If you are tempted to play the popularity game next time, stop and ask yourself: Is what I'm building real? Would it last and make people respect me? At the end of the day respect is what keeps you when life brings up it's challenges.
Be that person who others always look up to, not just they person they only want to hangout with. Always choose respect over popularity, and you will see how far it will take you in life.
Posted Using INLEO