In sculpture, film, or paintings depicting ancient times, you’ve likely seen a crown of leaves, a wreath worn upon one’s head. In classical Greece, these were the markers of the highest acheivers—think Olympic champions. (For a chuckle, imagine Simone Biles sporting a stack of nine wreaths on the cover of Sports Illustrated.) Victorious generals of the Roman empire too wore them. Julius Caesar? He considered them representative of his godliness. Even today, believe it or not, certain universities give out these crowns for the highest educational accomplishments.
Well, these crowns are traditionally made from laurel leaves, a genus of plants indigenous to southern Europe. And the person crowned with such adornment was called a laureate. We use the word laureate today to mean a person who receives a great honor, particularly a Nobel or poet laureate. And once you’ve won your Nobel prize, you are forever a Nobel laureate.
And maybe, you’ve heard this cautionary expression: “Don’t rest on your laurels.”
Last month, we talked about the execution and implementation of your goals. As you make your way through the rewarding journey of goal-setting and goal-getting, you know what a great feeling it is—that first taste of success! You’ve put on your proverbial laurel wreath and feel like a champion. I love that moment…embrace it…briefly. Then, it's time to move on. For continued success, you must heed the warning in that expression: don’t rest on your laurels. In otherwords, don’t focus on the victories of times gone by. We cannot base our current or future successes on the successes of the past.
Instead, we continue our upward trajectory through evaluation and evolution.
Self-evaluation is a learned skill, to be sure. There’s nuance, discipline, and emotion in it. Remember, while we want to be honest with ourselves, critique is different than criticism. This is an exercise in building up not tearing down. Not everything works. It’s okay to admit that. In failure lies opportunity for growth. Trial and error is the cornerstone of problem solving.
That’s where evaluation becomes evolution. Even nature evolves through trial and error. Our efficiencies as a species change century-by-century. Who’s to say us goal-setters can’t change day-by-day?
After each of my intensive coaching workshops, I offer everyone the chance to evaluate their experience (really, to evaluate me). All who participate get a worksheet with a list of statements and are asked to rank the course on a scale of 1 to 5 relative to those statements. And you know what? It sure feels good to get 5s across the board. But, it’s the 2s and 3s that make me evolve—that make me better.
Remember how once a Nobel prize winner, once a Nobel laureate, you’re ALWAYS a laureate. It’s quite the contrary in business, in relationships, and in your health. One success does NOT mean perpetual success. I’m not suggesting you close the door on the past. There is much to learn, much to celebrate, much to pass on to your mentees. You just can’t rest there—on your laurels. Rest on your pillow instead, after another day of striving for your best life.
At Kathy Merchant Coaching, we have the tools you need to sustain and maintain the success you deserve. Set up a free consultation call today!
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