moment to do the extraordinary

ordinary U2

 

“Now, gentlemen, let us do something today which the world may talk of hereafter.”

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Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood before the battle at Trafalgar

 

 

Well.

 

It seemed appropriate to post this quote on the NCAA Final Four day. I doubt any of the coaches will use it prior to the game … but they could.

 

Collingwood was one of Nelson’s best friends and second in command of the Royal Navy at Trafalgar. He actually won the naval battle after Nelson died in the midst of the battle.

He was supposed to be a humorless man but a perfect partner in crime with Nelson who was a PR hound.

 

Regardless.

 

Prior to the battle Collingwood understood the moment. he saw the moment for what it was … bigger.

And he certainly recognized that not all moments are equal. Even in ‘big’ moments some are … well … just bigger.

 

And he also understood he was asking ordinary men to do something extraordinary.

Oh.

 

That is what leaders do.

 

Look.

 

In ordinary life we don’t face many Trafalgar type situations.

 

Life and business is a stream full of ordinary moments peppered with opportunities for the extraordinary. You won’t always recognize the moment of opportunity and that is okay.

 

But it is truly a shame when you DO recognize the moment and not seek to do something “the world may talk of hereafter.”

 

Maximus in The Gladiator suggested “what we do today will echo in eternity.”

Same idea.infinities are relative

 

Some moments echo in eternity in ways that … well … people talk hereafter about.

 

 

Just make sure you don’t miss it when the opportunity arises.

We don’t all have someone like Cuthbert around to remind us.

 

Just pay attention. Everyone … yes … everyone has at least one moment in their Life in which they can do something of which the world may talk of hereafter.

 

That’s all I can say.

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Written by Bruce