I have had the opportunity in my life to be touched by many great people. People that in their own way had an ability of reaching directly into my soul. The best illustration of what I mean came one day when I attended a conference and heard Lou Holtz, a great football coach and TV commentator speak. He defined the attributes that many need to find in their lives. He said, “Coaching gives one a chance to be successful as well as significant. The difference between those two is that when you die, your success comes to an end. When you are significant, you continue to help others be successful long after you are gone. Significance lasts many lifetimes. That is why people teach, why people lead, and why people coach. As I leave the field of play, I enjoy the feeling of being a winning coach. But more important, I hope that I have been a person of significance in the lives of these young men.”
This ‘significance’ that Mr. Holtz speaks of is an attribute that society needs more than ever. As the pressures of the day-in/day-out grind works on all of us, we need to step back, realize and clarify who we can assist, teach, council, or direct in a way that will impact their lives and those they associate with.
Successful people have a very apparent model for themselves. Successful people are unmistakable about being exceptional in their business handlings and personal lives. They will impact people, that is for sure. Yet, how simple it would be to find the clarity of who they can be in the lives of others by reaching out beyond their individual world to teach, share, and give of themselves. Significance would be the reward.
Hi Dennis,
I was so pleased with your article referring to Lou Holtz the great football coach. I also heard Lou Holtz speak at a local convention and was very impressed. He has a way of expressing himself that really is very inspiring. The “significance” is even more critical in today’s world. We all need to step back and clarify our own role, as well as assisting others, in order to direct in a way that will impact everyone’s lives.
Thank you for this article. It is excellent.