The Push to Greatness

SGT Ben Keen — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 08:14:14 -0400

We often hear the phrase "Push yourself". Growing up, I was told that to be successful you had to put yourself out there and try it. I remember growing up and going to the swimming pool. At this pool they had several diving boards, all at different levels. I have a memory of one summer going to this pool and making the decision that I was going take on the challenge and climb the highest diving board and take the jump. And as I stood on the edge looking down on the blue water below, I thought to myself that I should just turn around and walk back down the ladder but if I did that others might see me as weak. So, on that day, I walked to the edge and jumped. After I surfaced on the water I realized that I enjoyed it. I achieved what I set out to do. While it was not a world changing accomplishment, it was something that I felt proud of. On that day, I pushed myself to a new limit.

Years later, I would find myself ready to jump again, this time from civilian life to military life. And instead of looking down into crystal clear blue water I saw nothing but a grey mass of uncertainty. Yet, much like that day on the diving board, I knew that turning back would result in feeling like a failure so I jumped. I accomplished a lot in my eight and half years in the military. I got to go to some great places and do some great things. I had the chance to work along side some amazing people and everyday I had to push myself further than I had to the day before.

Than I jumped again. This time from military life back into civilian life. Yet again, instead of clear blue water, that grey mess of uncertainty was there but I jumped. While the landing wasn't always as soft or as pleasant as finding yourself in some nice cool water on a hot summer day, I knew that no matter what I had to push myself towards greatness. That was until a few years ago. A few years ago, a decision was made to take an idea I had and make it into something; something that could be bigger than just myself. Something that if done right could leave a lasting impact on the community. That is when I stopped looking to push myself to greatness and started to focus on pushing the collective group of Veterans in the community towards greatness. I learned that through their success, the collective group was pushed towards greatness. I learned that my own "greatness" was multiplied by the greatness of the collective group. I was no longer standing on the edge of the highest diving board alone. I was standing shoulder to shoulder again with some great people people working to change the conversation and view of Veterans. Together, we push each other to show others that might doubt us that Veterans are a valuable assets with some amazing skills beyond our technical knowledge. We are passionate, driven, caring, and understanding people that are able to see beyond the short range goal. We understand team work and the importance it plays in not only our own personal success but the success of those around us.

So now that term of "push yourself" or "find your greatness" has taken on new meaning. It no longer causes me to just look inward but more importantly it causes me to include looking outward. It does not mean that someone should stop looking to improve him or herself. By all means, continue to push yourself because by achieving your goals you bring the collective group with you. And when you struggle, the group will be there to push you up.

Response by SPC David S. made Sep 9 at 2015 8:30 AM

SPC David S. — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 08:30:46 -0400

I had a similar idea just hit me one day. I have decided to make it my life purpose to guide/help others achieve greatness. In fact I even thought of a slogan for it. "You CAN achieve greatness!" I chose greatness because not everyone has the same idea of what they want to achieve, it even changes day by day.

Response by CMSgt Mark Schubert made Sep 9 at 2015 8:37 AM

CMSgt Mark Schubert — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 08:37:58 -0400

I too used to think like you - just do "it" for myself. Many years ago I learned there was even GREATER joy in building the success of others - that's when I found true happiness, joy and a sense of real accomplishment (or "greatness"). I hesitate to use the word greatness in describing myself as it's not very humbling to me. :-) I no longer consider myself as anything more than His servant doing whatever I can to help others.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Sep 9 at 2015 10:47 AM

SSG Warren Swan — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 10:47:06 -0400

To sum up what you said in a military sense (IMO), a NCO is always looking out for those under him, and for those in need. He is their rock and foundation. When said NCO starts looking out for himself, he's now just a "sergeant". Whatever choice lies in front of you, the NCO in you will pull forward and pull those who need help with you. Regardless of actual rank (grouping officers in here) and branch, I see LOADS of NCO's on RP. They are the rock and foundations that help, guide, and assist each of us in decisions we make and can count on to give us advice that might not be pleasant, but will be timely and accurate.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 9 at 2015 12:04 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 12:04:14 -0400

Sometimes it's the journey that whispers of greatness, but we often don't hear it or see it. However others do see it and acknowledge your noble intentions to make right out of wrong.

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Sep 9 at 2015 12:39 PM

SGT Michael Glenn — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 12:39:50 -0400

I loved to run all through my life, competed in Track and field in school. I ran with this gal who would always push me one step further and she would wind up mouthing off at me to get me upset to spike my adrenaline and told me that when I was running and she wasnt there... to think of something that really peaved me off and to cuss!!!! It worked!!! We smoked that 440 relay like no ones business!!! I of course had to be spoken to by the coach after he got numerous complaints about me screaming obscenities as I ran the race!!!!

Response by SGT John W Lugo made Sep 9 at 2015 12:40 PM

SGT John W Lugo — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 12:40:39 -0400

Great Post, I've asked myself the same things at time. But have also felt the same way, success is better served when done with others.
Inspirational

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Sep 9 at 2015 1:01 PM

SGT Michael Glenn — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 13:01:56 -0400

SGT Ben Keen, This was a world changing accomplishment in that you did something you were leary of thereby altering your life forever at that moment, had you turned and climbed back down you would have given in to your inner fear time and time again in your life. I was bullied as a kid in school, I didnt like confrontations and was labeled a Faggot (Lol...what kids let bother them) by many. This went on until I joined the military and I learned to never back down from anyone, this changed my life in many ways and I am glad I saw through all my fears and pulled myself out of the hole I was in.

Response by Sgt Tom Cunnally made Sep 9 at 2015 9:28 PM

Sgt Tom Cunnally — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 21:28:57 -0400

At BC High School & BC we had a mantra "Ever to Excel"... .

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 11 at 2015 4:26 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 16:26:42 -0400

Passion will propel you to greatness.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 24 at 2015 11:51 AM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 24 Oct 2015 11:51:02 -0400

You hit the target with the last paragraph.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 26 at 2015 4:47 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 16:47:21 -0400

Passion gives you the drive to pursue greatness.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Oct 26 at 2015 5:22 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 17:22:23 -0400

Very inspiring but don't expect me to follow you. My mama always warned me not to do something just because my friends were doing it...

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2015 12:30 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 00:30:04 -0400

SGT Ben Keen I saw a sign last night that said "You don't have to be great at everything." I thought it spoke volumes. You might like my son's school... for example at my son's school if the child doesn't make an A or B in selected subjects they have to take a remedial version of the next higher course the next year. Yes this gives lots of incentive to make better grades. Collectively the school's performance ratings and college admission is higher than other's which are nearby. Yes it is a public school.

Response by SFC Eric Williams made Nov 18 at 2015 6:26 PM

SFC Eric Williams — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 18:26:47 -0500

My man! Well said Ben. I see who I'm going to be hanging out with....Thanks!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 2 at 2015 5:12 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 17:12:31 -0500

Michael Jordan had passion for basketball. Alexander the great had passion for strategy, often forcing the enemy into his trap. Warren Buffet has a passion for investing. Passion is a prerequisite for greatness.