Staying Humble

I started my university years in the College of Business. And in the spring semester of my freshman year, I took a class on public speaking. It was required or I would have never signed up for it. The first couple of weeks, all was fine. We were learning about how to write and give speeches. But at some point, our professor gave us THE assignment that would mark my life in a significant way. We were to write and deliver a 5-minute speech on anything we wanted. No big deal.

I wrote my speech and the night before I was supposed to give it, I became so terrified at the thought of speaking for 5 minutes in front of all these strangers. The next morning, I was so afraid of giving the speech that I didn’t go to class that day. And guess what? I still have never been back to that class.

I withdrew from that class and ended up having to leave the College of Business, all because I couldn’t give a 5-minute speech. It’s important to keep remembering how our stories began. You may happen to know that speaking publicly is a major part of my work and calling. You might also know that I love business and love when I get the opportunity to coach business leaders. But all of that began with me not being able to give a 5-minute speech and having to choose a major in something other than business.

What is in your story that should keep you humble?

It is easy to start off humble, but difficult to stay humble. Why? When we’re starting almost anything – school, learning how to drive, a new job, or a new hobby – we don’t know anything and we don’t have much of anything. But the more we gain – knowledge, skill, wealth, and experience – the easier it is to forget where we started.

Don’t forget where, when, and how it all started for you.

Where did you begin your career journey? How about your character? If you’re like me, neither of these are in the same place they were 5, 10, or 20 years ago. Maybe you’re wealthier now. Perhaps you’re more educated. And you’ve probably enjoyed a little more success than you had in the beginning. When you realize where you started and where you are now, what should you do about it?

In his book, A Resilient Life, Gordon MacDonald wrote, “Gratitude is ‘coming back’ to the scene of the event and acknowledging what has happened and who made it happen.” 

Take a few minutes today to express your gratitude for God for all the good He’s made happen in your life. Then do the same with a few of the humans who have helped you get to where you are today. And remember this:

We all have things in our stories that should keep us humble, but we should not let them hold us back.