Becoming an Everyday Hero
Hero—a word often reserved for the extraordinary or Bollywood actors
We read about heroes who save lives amidst blazing infernos or safely land planes under harrowing conditions. Heroes like Mahatma Gandhi and Rosa Parks who stood up against oppression. Others who surmount immense odds to excel in sports, music, and arts. Some actors are called heroes because of their acting skills and charm.
But heroism isn’t always about grand, public acts. Motivational speaker and author Robin Sharma believes that heroism resides within each of us. Anyone committed to living with bravery and happiness can become an everyday hero. It’s not about innate genius but about the hard work and dedication we invest in ourselves.
Journey of the Author
In his 30s, Robin Sharma yearned for a richer, more meaningful life. Determined to transform himself, he embarked on a journey of self-improvement. Every morning, he woke up early to study productivity, confidence, and happiness. He attended conferences, hired coaches, and learned from experts. After three transformative years, He felt reborn.
This journey led him to write the book, The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari. Despite knowing nothing about publishing, He relied on his parents—his mother edited, and his father drove him to the copy shop. Faced with numerous rejections and disheartening book readings, he persisted, fueled by self-belief. One day, while signing a few consigned copies at a local bookstore, He passionately shared his story with a curious audience. One of them turned out to be the president of HarperCollins Publishing company. That chance encounter changed everything, and his book eventually became a bestseller.
Key Lessons in Becoming an Everyday Hero
- Greatness Lies Within Us: We all possess the potential for remarkable achievements. It’s our duty to nurture and reveal it.
- Believe in Yourself: Your journey demands unwavering self-belief and commitment to excellence.
- Patience and Persistence: Success may take time, but a well-handled journey leads to a fulfilling destination.
- Act Now: “Action delayed is greatness betrayed,” as Robin Sharma wisely says.
Practical Shifts to Heroism
Feeling inspired is one thing, but taking actionable steps towards becoming an everyday hero is another. Here are Robin’s five essential shifts to help you transition from feeling like a victim to embracing your inner hero:
- From “Can’t” to “Can”: Start your day with positive affirmations. For instance, “I am grateful for today and all its opportunities.”
- From Excuses to Results: Focus on why you must achieve your goals and disregard the naysayers.
- From Past Chains to Future Fuel: Use past rejections and failures as motivation to propel you forward.
- From Busy to Productive: Evaluate your activities. Are they contributing to your growth or just filling time?
- From Taker to Giver: Embrace generosity and humility, enriching others through your journey.
Cultivating a Positive Environment
Creating a positive environment is crucial for personal growth. Robin’s IPOP principle—Input Positivity, Output Positivity—reminds us to curate our surroundings carefully.
This includes Robin’s “Trinity of Radiant Vitality”: exercise, nutrition, and rest. Begin with a vigorous workout, consume fresh, local food, and ensure adequate rest to sustain your productivity.
Optimizing Productivity
Guard your cognitive bandwidth fiercely. Focus on one task at a time to avoid “attention residue.” Dedicate the first 90 minutes of your day to your most important tasks and build a supportive team to help achieve your goals.
Harmonizing Heart and Mind
For the mind to excel, it must be aligned with the heart. Acknowledge and work through past hurts rather than ignoring them. Robin’s AFRA method—Awareness, Feel, Release, and Ascend—has helped me navigate emotional challenges, fostering growth and resilience.
Embracing the Hero Within
- Words of Power: Kickstart your day with affirmations like “I am grateful for today and all its opportunities.” This shifts your mindset from doubt to confidence.
- Rejecting Excuses: Replace excuses with determination. Channel your energy into achieving results despite the odds.
- Fueling with the Past: Use past experiences as fuel. Turn rejections into stepping stones toward future success.
- Productive Focus: Busy isn’t always productive. Focus on tasks that align with your goals and contribute to your growth.
- Generosity: Shift from taking to giving. Enrich others through your journey, spreading positivity and support.
Creating a Heroic Ecosystem
- IPOP Principle: Surround yourself with positive influences. Input positivity and you’ll output positivity.
- Radiant Vitality: Maintain a balanced routine of exercise, nutrition, and rest. This trinity fuels your body and mind for optimal performance.
- Cognitive Bandwidth: Protect your mental focus. Limit distractions and dedicate time to deep work.
- Support System: Build a team of professionals to support your journey. This “forced optimization” ensures consistent progress.
Heart and Mind Alignment
- Emotional Awareness: Acknowledge and work through past hurts. The AFRA method (Awareness, Feel, Release, Ascend) helps navigate emotional challenges.
- True Positivity: Avoid false positivity. Embrace genuine feelings and work through them honestly for lasting growth.
The Hero’s Journey
- Immediate Action: Take action now. Delayed action is a missed opportunity for greatness.
- Resilience in Chaos: Embrace challenges as opportunities. Overcoming obstacles reveals the hero within you.
By committing to these principles and shifts, each of us can embark on a journey toward everyday heroism. It begins with a single, decisive step and continues with intentional effort and unwavering belief in our potential. The hero within is waiting to be unleashed—start your journey today.
Final Thoughts
We all possess the potential to become everyday heroes—more focused, productive, and fulfilled versions of ourselves. By mindfully choosing what we consume, how we think, and who we surround ourselves with, we can reclaim control and steer our lives towards greatness. Remember, the journey to heroism begins with a single, decisive action today.
Read more about personal growth from book Inner Engineering by Sadhguru