The quote, “Be humble, be hungry, and always be the hardest worker in the room”, is attributed to Dwayne Johnson. I am unsure if this is an original, but I was moved by the sentiment.
My parents always emphasized the importance of humility. It may first appear that humility is a reflection of weakness. But humility isn’t weak or submissive. Its relevancy to leadership and personal development are found in its ability to build trust and be effective learners. Those who exhibit humility create an environment where others feel valued. I’ve found that being valued in my career is as important as the paycheck I bring home.
There’s one main trait every ambitious and hungry person has that feeds that hunger, competitiveness. There is a drive to outwork and outperform others. It takes hunger to achieve the goal, but it also takes it to maintain it. ‘Stay hungry in life’ means never be satisfied with what you have achieved in the past because if you do so, you will eventually fall behind. You can always build something better. Always stay curious, ask questions and at the same time keep your ears open and listen, because you never know what you might learn.
I am a people watcher. Over the years, I’ve spent time in the gym and have seen my fair share of gym rats. Some are socializers, some are New Year’s resolutionist (yeah that’s a made-up word), some are trying, some are doing, while others are struggling. However, those that have achieved fitness success have something all the others don’t. They are willing to work when others won’t. They show up every day even when they don’t feel like it. They challenge themselves with technique and weight progression. Some come in early while others come in late. They encourage other people and they understand that what they do outside the gym, is just as important as what they do inside. They surround themselves with other hard workers and encouragers. They are indeed the “hardest workers in the room.”
“Be humble, be hungry, and always be the hardest worker in the room.” What are the takeaways? Show up, even when you don’t feel like it. Make learning a daily priority. Challenge yourself and then others. Do the jobs that others aren’t willing to do. Encourage the team. And most importantly, be consistent! As for me, I’ll maintain my humility and exploit my competitiveness where appropriate. I will always be the “hardest worker in the room.”