IAM2267 - Embrace the Sacrifice to Unlock Your Greatness

Gresham Harkless discusses the journey from "good" to "great," emphasizing the importance of recognizing that greatness requires sacrifice and a willingness to embrace challenges. 

 

He highlights a powerful quote from Jim Collins, "Good is the enemy of great," and reflects on a poem by Edgar A. Guest that warns against complacency.

 

He discusses how “good enough” creates a comfort zone, that stifles growth and innovation.

 

He emphasizes the need to overcome the fear of failure to reach higher goals.

 

He explains the importance of feedback and learning from failures to minimize risks.

 

In addition, he emphasizes that the world needs everyone's unique greatness, urging listeners to pursue their potential.

Book: Good to Great

Poem

Good Enough Edgar A. Guest

My son, beware of "good enough,"
It isn't made of sterling stuff;
It's something any man can do,
It marks the many from the few,
It has not merit to the eye,
It's something any man can buy,
It's name is but a sham and bluff,
For it is never "good enough."

 

With "good enough" the shirkers stop
In every factory and shop;
With "good enough" the failures rest
And lose to men who give their best;
With "good enough" the car breaks down
And men fall short of high renown.
My son, remember and be wise
In "good enough" disaster lies.

 

With "good enough" have ships been wrecked,
The forward march of armies checked,
Great buildings burned and fortunes lost;
Nor can the world compute the cost
In life and money it has paid
Because at "good enough" men stayed.
Who stops at "good enough" shall find
Success has left him far behind.

 

There is no "good enough" that's short
Of what you can do and ought.
The flaw which may escape the eye
And temporarily get by,
Shall weaken under the strain
And wreck the ship or car or train.
For this is true of men and stuff—
Only the best is "good enough."

 

Collected Verse of Edgar Guest
Cutchogue, NY: Buccaneer Books, 1976, 465

 

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