Each year, the United States honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He played a significant role in the equality movement, and the holiday ensures that his efforts will never be forgotten. Plus, it serves as a great time to remember the lessons he shared. Along with standing up for injustice, Dr. King was a shining example of various traits and ideas that are worth emulating. With that in mind, here are some personal and professional lessons from Dr. King.
“I have a dream” is one of the most quoted lines in history. A dream can be incredibly powerful and motivating. However, it will only benefit you if you take action. Many people give up on their dreams over time and are later plagued by what-ifs and could-have-beens. The lesson here is not just to have a dream, but to pursue it. That way, you can make your desires a reality or, at least, rest knowing that you tried.
While we know today that the civil rights movement would succeed, those who were taking part didn’t. Instead, they dedicated themselves to the cause and actively chose not to give up, a powerful lesson in diligence and perseverance.
Now, that doesn’t mean there’s never a situation where you’ll need to make an exit. However, it’s important that you consider whether you are stopping merely because it’s hard or because it’s genuinely necessary. If it’s the former, consider summoning your strength and pushing through. Otherwise, you may never reach your goal.
In most cases, successful people didn’t end up where they are easily. Dr. King had to face a substantial amount of adversity and persevere in order to succeed. In most cases, those who excel adopted the same mindset. They put their noses to the grindstone and committed to doing the hard stuff.
If you want to reach your goal, embrace the notion that hard work is a part of that equation early on. That way, you’ll be ready for the challenges that may arise and won’t shy away from the first obstacle you encounter.
Dr. King and others who were part of the civil rights movement showed that real change is possible. Their actions led to the Civil Rights Act, a meaningful moment in United States’ history. It shows that big change is genuinely possible. While it can certainly take effort, you can revamp your career or life, or achieve lofty goals, too.
During the civil rights movement, Dr. King didn’t go it alone. Instead, he aligned with other leaders who shared his views, making the message more powerful.
If you want to succeed personally or professionally, you don’t have to do it in isolation. By partnering with the right people, you can use the same strategy, combining your powers and voice to achieve something amazing.
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