I had a meeting with a university professor this morning we were talking about getting his students involved with expeditions with my organisation.
When I told him I wanted to do a introductory presentation at the university, he practically leapt out of his chair as he said, "Brilliant!" Never mind that I've been trying to do a presentation there for the past two years, but that's another story. After his little bounce of energy, he put his hand on his chin and looked silently at the left corner of his desk.
Then he looked up at me and said, "You know, to be successful, you have to be a little bit selfish." He wanted me to do the presentation only to his faculty.
What he said echoed in my mind, like it was cruel. Selfish? Never! Goodness and honesty prevail! The good always win! Die, you evil antagonist!
But I'm not stupid, I know he is totally right, no matter how you define success.
Life is lived for yourself. Without a little selfishness there would be no satisfaction and sense of accomplishment. I don't know if anyone can say that they do what they do without an ounce of selfishness in their intentions. (And if you think you can, speak to me, and I will squeeze the ugly truth out of you.)
The key words, though, are "a little".
When I said I'd hoped to do a presentation to all of the university, he seemed a little disappointed, but only for a split second. He then said, "I will speak to the vice-chancellor and set a date for you!" A true star. His offer surprised me especially after he said that thing about success.
He did it out of belief in our work, but I've no doubt that he's doing with a smidgen of selfishness in there somewhere. Like I said, the key words are "a little".
When I told him I wanted to do a introductory presentation at the university, he practically leapt out of his chair as he said, "Brilliant!" Never mind that I've been trying to do a presentation there for the past two years, but that's another story. After his little bounce of energy, he put his hand on his chin and looked silently at the left corner of his desk.
Then he looked up at me and said, "You know, to be successful, you have to be a little bit selfish." He wanted me to do the presentation only to his faculty.
What he said echoed in my mind, like it was cruel. Selfish? Never! Goodness and honesty prevail! The good always win! Die, you evil antagonist!
But I'm not stupid, I know he is totally right, no matter how you define success.
Life is lived for yourself. Without a little selfishness there would be no satisfaction and sense of accomplishment. I don't know if anyone can say that they do what they do without an ounce of selfishness in their intentions. (And if you think you can, speak to me, and I will squeeze the ugly truth out of you.)
The key words, though, are "a little".
When I said I'd hoped to do a presentation to all of the university, he seemed a little disappointed, but only for a split second. He then said, "I will speak to the vice-chancellor and set a date for you!" A true star. His offer surprised me especially after he said that thing about success.
He did it out of belief in our work, but I've no doubt that he's doing with a smidgen of selfishness in there somewhere. Like I said, the key words are "a little".
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