5 Tips to Help You Win Big & Become a Village Hero

A few years ago, I returned to my impoverished village in Haiti. Many in the village came to see me-the tiny and diseased child they didn't expect to make it. Some of them used to call me Souyen and kokobay-words that mean "crippled." A man from the village, Alfred, reminded the people how they treated me. "Today" He said, "He returns as our village hero."

I am sure you, too, may already be a village hero in your own way. In my case, it was the final result of personal responsibility, and a combination of strategies that prompted Alfred to call me a "Village Hero." Let me share five of those strategies with you:

1. Practice Self-Discipline. Do you ever wonder why some have too much and others are barely surviving? The answer - discipline and self-sacrifice. Success, however you define it, is easy. But you gotta be consistent. My guess is there are a few things you could do to achieve more results in your life. Although you know what they are, you still neglect them. But listen: to be successful, you must do the uncomfortable now in order to be comfortable later.

2. Lift Up Others. Think of yourself as a pebble, and those you know as ponds. Give a little encouragement and you become a pebble in the pond. The ripples are endless. Someone you know is silently struggling and needs some uplifting words. It may be a minor detail to you, but to them, it's a big boost. You can't lift anyone up while lying on the ground. Say something nice and observe how you feel. Encouragement and feel-good words are FREE. Why not give them generously? Be a village hero, lift somebody up!

3. Be A Go-Getter & A Go-Giver. Maintain a balance. Take, but ask yourself, "What do I have to give?" Give a little encouragement, a little time, a little attention, and the gift of truly listening. When you can afford it, give a little money, too ? maybe by dropping a quarter in that cup or sending flowers. Everyone has something to give. Avoid being called a user. Give a little and you shall receive a lot.

4. Take Responsibility. When we mess up, we need to fess up, fix it up and move on! Stop blaming! Some of us blame past circumstances for our failure. Big deal! My childhood was very depressing and the outlook dim, but I couldn't let that determine my future. Here's what I read recently, "our background and circumstances may influence who we are, but we are responsible for what we become."

5. Be Humble. Never be too big that you can't identify with those in the lower rung of the ladder. We are all made of the same stuff regardless of our rank or position. It is said that you can always tell a big person by the way he or she treats little people. If there is a chip on your shoulder, send it to Silicon Valley. Remember, in God's eyes, we are all the same. In the end, we will all leave this world without titles.

There you have it. Develop and strengthen those five attributes. The people in your village, be it from work or family, will begin to draw unto you. And soon, they will call you a "Village Hero."

About The Author

Rene Godefroy is the best-selling author of No Condition Is Permanent and a highly sought-after motivational speaker. For more information vsit http://www.villagehero.com.

---

A Whack Up Long Side The Head Of Human Resources: The Leadership Imperative

When we perceive the simple center in the seemingly complex,... Read More

Managing Monsters in Meetings - Part 3, Drifting From the Topic

Although new ideas lead to creative solutions, they can be... Read More

Why the Squirrel Kept Winning!

I had the good fortune (or misfortune depending on your... Read More

A Winning Choice for Leadership!

"The only way to enjoy anything in this life, is... Read More

The Code of the Conference Leader

Are your meetings generally a waste of time? Do you... Read More

Career Advice for Business Leaders: Empowering Others

Many potential leaders in business sabotage themselves and their organizations... Read More

Two Leadership Traps: How To Avoid Them and How To Get Out Of Them (Part 2)

Here's how to get out of, or avoid, the "I... Read More

What Kind of Leader Are You?

You are a leader if someone is following you. This... Read More

Three Factors Of Leadership Motivation

Leaders do nothing more important than get results. But you... Read More

Top Skills Of Extraordinary Leaders

1. Good Communicator. Extraordinary Leaders are those who can take... Read More

BIG-3 Leadership!

"Do what you do so well that they will want... Read More

Stepping Into Leadership and Being The Source Of Your Success

Why is it that we often wait until we have... Read More

Dissolving Conflict Through Reframing

Reframing is looking at the situation with a new set... Read More

Leading In The Face Of Disaster

The date was Saturday, April 11, 1970, the time 13:13... Read More

5 Tips to Help You Win Big & Become a Village Hero

A few years ago, I returned to my impoverished village... Read More

Leadership Styles and What We Need For the Future:

By definition a leaders leads a team to take action... Read More

Character -- Why It Matters In Leaders

"Character is much easier kept than recovered." -Thomas Paine"The best... Read More

8 Questions to Ask if You Want to be a Better Leader

Those that have successfully made the transition from manager to... Read More

Leadership In The Zone!

"You do not merely want to be considered just the... Read More

Being Other Focused

In the Wall Street Journal, Franklin Lavin, U.S. Ambassabor to... Read More

A Blueprint for Leadership - How to Be a Better Leader

If you were to build a house, you would begin... Read More

Leadership: Seed or Fruit?

Purpose: Learn immediately if you are fostering leadership or ignoring... Read More

Common Mistakes Extraordinary Leaders Dont Make

When people make a decision (either consciously or unconsciously) to... Read More

Leadership - L.P.B It!

"Dissatisfaction and discouragement are not caused by the absence of... Read More

Leadership

Webster's defines leadership as : "1. the office of position... Read More

Wisdom From The Rock

He grew up in Brooklyn, the son of an ex-con... Read More

Wanted: A Dictionary-Perfect Leader

Answers are often before our very eyes or in front... Read More

Building Future Leaders

As a whole we spend a lot of time filling... Read More

The Seven Mistakes to Avoid when Organising Your Student Leadership Program

How do you measure the success of a training or... Read More

Leadership Skills - 10 Ways to Beef Up

10 Ways to Beef Up Your Leadership SkillsHave you ever... Read More

Always Be Open To Learning

"We should not only use all the brains we have,... Read More

Leadership Is Action?Not Position!

People respond to good leadership! Period! It is in all... Read More

7 AAA Ways To Succeed!

[Abounding Abundant Ample Ways To Boost Your Growth!] This may... Read More