MORE THAN A NAME

“Names have power.” - Rick Riordan

 

I am certain that you have heard about the “power of a good name”. Interestingly, sometimes we have not consciously thought on how a powerful or good name is obtained. The truth is a good name is a great asset, one with immeasurable value. A good name is transferable, can be used as collateral to negotiate a business deal. Literally speaking, the applications of a good name are inexhaustible. The question is how is a good name obtained?

After the American Civil War the managers of the infamous Louisiana Lottery in their bid to swindle the public approached Robert E. Lee, the American career military officer and education administrator; famous for having commanded the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in the American Civil War. Robert E. Lee distinguished himself as an exceptional officer and combat engineer in the United States Army for 32 years and was a man of admirable reputation. The managers asked if he'd let them use his name in their scheme. They promised that if he did he would become rich. Astounded, Lee straightened up, buttoned his gray coat, and shouted, "Gentlemen, I lost my home in the war. I lost my fortune in the war. I lost everything except my name. My name is not for sale, and if you fellows don't get out of here, I'll break this crutch over year heads!"

I don’t care if your name is Lucky, Famous, Great or even Obama. A good name is not in the sound of the name, or the meaning of the name. A good name cannot be given at birth or a naming ceremony, a good name is only obtained by the character that you consciously build - it becomes synonymous with whatever you are called. It is the sum total of the decisions, actions, behaviours and thoughts that rule your daily life - they add up to produce a great name with time. Once a great name has been built your job is to protect it, it should not be sold or trampled on. I dare you to start building a great name from today, think again before you speak or act. Will your words or actions add up to a great name?