Until recently, I didnโt even know there was such a thing asย a Doomsday Clock! Apparently, the Doomsday Clock has been ticking down by various increments since 2012, with this last move signaling the closest to midnight itโs ever been. This time, reasons include โnuclear threats, climate change, bioterrorism, and artificial intelligence.โ
These are seemingly scary times for the planet and all the people on it. Logically, we know that change is inevitable, but does that mean we should resign and accept doom as our fate? Or, does it mean that at any given moment, we can correct the course? The clock has been moved back several times since its inception, so Iโd say thereโs hope.
Kobe Bryant, a legend, recently perished at age 41, along with his 13-year-old daughter, Gigi, and sadly 7 other souls with plenty of life to live. Kobe got to enjoy a career that eclipsed so many others in a competitive, high-profile field. His daughter, however, was just beginning to rise. Kobe left a legacy, but Gigi hadnโt yet gotten her chance, though it seems she was well on her way. Itโs hard to ignore the impact Kobe had on so many people โ from professional sports, to entertainment, to presidents. But a legacy doesnโt have to be as epic as Kobeโs.ย
Just by impacting a few leaders who go on to impact other leaders, you, too, can have a living legacy that lasts as long as the human race. More importantly, your legacy and impact on leaders can be what keeps us here longer.
How is that? ย
Money, fame, attention, special favors, accolades, luxury, power...it's all addictive.ย
You get a taste, your brain recognizes that it feels good, and then it sends you cravings for more. If this goes unchecked, it makes decisions for you automatically. If anyone (or anything) tries to threaten this craving, it will lead you to do whatever it takes to end the threat and get your fix.
A more hurried pace of life these days makes it harder to reflect, so it goes unchecked far more often. Pretty soon, you have epidemic-proportions of material/behavioral addictions.
According to Healthline.com:ย
โAn addiction is a chronic dysfunction of the brain system that involves reward, motivation, and memory. Itโs about the way your body craves a substance or behavior, especially if it causes a compulsive or obsessive pursuit of โrewardโ and lack of concern over consequences.
Someone experiencing an addiction will:
โข be unable to stay away from the substance or stop the addictive behavior
โข display a lack of self-controlย
โข have an increased desire for the substance or behavior
โข dismiss how their behavior may be causing problems
โข lack an emotional responseโ
Situational greed means you are never satisfied. Thereโs no amount you can have and be happy; thereโs no peace โ only drive to obtain more and more.ย
It's a trap and it's running the show, but it won't let you see it for what it is, because then you are a threat to it!ย
What if all we had to do was get the people inside the trap who have amassed tremendous power, such as those in corporations who position profit and power over people and planet to see the trap for what it is?ย
How do we do that?
Nothing is guaranteed. Especially not tomorrow.ย
Science is proving more and more, however, that deep, lasting transformation is possible and there are simple, yet significant ways to lower resistance and lubricate change, all right inside of us. We might not be able to relieve the worst cases of situational greed, but if we have enough people in positions of leadership that are conscious, power can be redistributed to where it will do the highest good.ย
So, how can you make sure that as you grow in success, compensation, accolades, status, and decision-making power that you keep situational greed at bay?
You might not consider yourself susceptible, but if you are human, you are.ย
Napoleon Hill in the Laws of Success recommends having your own circle of advisors, a mastermind.ย
Masterminding is a practice adopted by the smartest, most powerful, wealthy, and disruptive leaders of the past century. Wise people know that facing change alone can be daunting, and ultimately less successful than getting input from other bright minds. Governments use think tanks to solve big problems.
We will not be using superficial criteria, such as your number of followers, years of experience or education, your geography, your net worth, nor, of course, age, race, gender or creed.ย
You will be assessed on your commitment and how you have demonstrated it; on the merit of your ideas and the goodness of your intentions.ย
We will provide the framework to nurture a culture of collaboration rather than competition. Our purpose is to offer a way to ensure that initiatives that stand a chance against threats garner the support necessary to move forward and provide a peaceful, healthy existence for us all.ย