I read a book once called “Redefining Success”. That’s all I remember about it. That I read it, that is.
Couldn’t tell you a thing about it, so I know that whenever someone claims to redefine anything that’s been around for a while it doesn’t generally stick. Even still, I’d like to offer you what I’ve been contemplating makes a good person and redefine the classic description.
Before I get to that, I know you’re all good people. Well at least I know you’d all hold the door open for me if I was coming in behind you. I know you’ll say please and thank you to the staff of the restaurant you’re having breakfast at today. I know you work hard to provide for your family whatever they need, you pay your bills and obey the law. Heck, I bet you’d even go out of your way to say hello to someone who looks lonely.
Those are all good things. We need you to keep doing those things. You doing those things is extremely important.
But it’s not enough. Not good enough I mean.
That’s merely meeting expectations. That’s the minimum standard.
We need you to be better, and not just in public.
We’re talking about responsibility, not reputation. We’re talking about being good, not looking good.
Being good is about raising your standards, taking responsibility and becoming who you’re meant to be.
Would you look good if they made a 24/7 documentary about you? If we followed you home, would we still admire you? It’s what I can’t help but thinking in those moments when I’m 30 minutes into scrolling through dumb Instagram reels. It’s what I can’t help but thinking in those moments I know I should finish my workout but I mail it in early.
Can we call ourselves good if everyone thinks we’re nice but we’re always running late and sleeping through the alarm? Are you good if you’re revered by your staff but despised by your kids?
Do our intentions to be good make us good even if we consistently fail to keep the promises we make to ourselves? If we give lots to charity but shout at the faceless CRA or IRS employee who calls and says we can’t write it off, are we good? Even if no one else ever knows?
Personally, I think being good starts internally. It starts with setting your own standard and sticking to it when it’s easy and when it’s hard. When it’s profitable and when it’s costly. Am I just talking about integrity? Perhaps, and perhaps that’s where being good starts.
Perhaps all I’m saying is that being nice is not the same as being good. I think being nice is easy, but I find being good quite difficult. That’s probably why not everyone is.
If you’ve got more thoughts or want to set me straight, let’s grab a coffee and hash it out, because I think that would be good. Until then, like NFL MVP Josh Allen said, “be good, do good, God bless, go Bills.”
See you next Thursday.
— Cody
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