What's up, my Greats!

I want to be successful.

There. I said it.

I want my businesses to grow.

I want my books to reach people.

I want bigger opportunities.

I want to make more money.

I want my work to matter.

And I don't think there's anything wrong with that.

But lately, I've been asking myself a harder question:

Manny, what if you get everything you're chasing...but become somebody you don't like in the process?

That question hits differently.

Because somewhere along the way, we've connected greatness with more.

More money.

More followers.

More influence.

More recognition.

More people knowing your name.

But Jesus completely flipped that definition upside down.

His disciples actually asked Him who would be the greatest.

And His answer?

“Therefore, whoever takes a humble place—becoming like this child—is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
— Matthew 18:4

Wait.

Humility?

That's the measuring stick?

Man, that's uncomfortable.

Success Can Feed Your Ego

I'm learning that ambition has to be checked.

Constantly.

Because there's a thin line between wanting to make an impact...

and wanting people to notice that you're making an impact.

I've crossed that line before.

I'm still capable of crossing it.

Maybe you are too.

You accomplish something and suddenly you want everybody to know.

You enter a room wondering who recognizes you.

Someone else gets the opportunity you wanted, and instead of celebrating them, something inside you gets irritated.

That's when you've got to check yourself.

I know I do.

Your Platform Doesn't Determine Your Greatness

We've got this twisted.

We see somebody with 500,000 followers and assume they're important.

Meanwhile, somebody with 42 followers is quietly changing people's lives.

Nobody knows their name.

No blue check.

No stage.

No applause.

But they're serving.

They're giving.

They're encouraging.

They're showing up.

They're making a difference.

Maybe greatness isn't about how many people know your name.

Maybe it's about how many people are better because you showed up.

Can You Stay Humble While You're Winning?

That's the challenge.

Can you make more money without believing you're better than somebody who makes less?

Can you lead people without needing everybody to know you're the leader?

Can you enter a room without needing to be the most important person in it?

Can you celebrate somebody else's win when you wanted the opportunity?

I'm asking myself those questions too.

Because I don't want success to create a version of me that God never intended me to become.

Here's Your Challenge

This week, do something meaningful that nobody knows about.

Help somebody.

Encourage somebody.

Give something.

Open a door.

Make a connection.

Serve somebody who can do absolutely nothing for you.

And don't post it.

Don't tell anybody.

Don't turn it into content.

Let it stay between you and God.

Then pay attention to what happens inside you when nobody applauds.

Here's the Bottom Line

Go build something great.

Become successful.

Make money.

Grow your influence.

I'm trying to do the same thing.

But never confuse achievement with greatness.

Your résumé can impress people.

Your bank account can impress people.

Your platform can impress people.

But none of those automatically reveal your character.

So while you're building your business, keep building your humility.

While you're growing your platform, keep shrinking your ego.

And while you're chasing success, never become too important to serve.

Because maybe the real evidence that you've reached another level...

is that you no longer need everybody to know you're there.

Stay hungry. Stay ambitious. Stay humble.

Now go make it happen!

— Manny D. Rosa
Mindset Motivation Newsletter
Entrepreneur | Author | Coach | Podcast Host