Roz Savage is a British ocean rower and environmental campaigner. Coupled with her solo row across the Atlantic in 2005-6, she has rowed over 11,000 miles, taken 3.5 million oarstrokes, and spent cumulatively nearly a year of her life at sea in a 23-foot rowboat. Her personal creed of taking life ‘one oarstroke at a time’, and her promotion of the EcoHero movement, has inspired countless people around the world. This year she has set out to complete the “Big Three” by rowing solo across the Indian Ocean.
To read more about Roz Savage and to follow her route click here
“Great acts are made up of small deeds.” ~Lao Tzu
While we can all recognize and appreciate Roz for her heroic efforts, her remarkable courage and leadership, I believe what’s most appealing about her story (like any superhero, really) is how we identify on some level, perhaps even see a bit of ourselves in her. We sense (if not know) that we might — just might — have that same capacity to overcome the insurmountable, whatever that may be, whether it’s rowing across the ocean, running a marathon or embedding a sustainability mindset around the planet.
On a conscious level that is certainly an intriguing prospect; however, on a subconscious level, I’m fairly certain that scares the hell out of most of us. We wonder, Could I really do that? Is that capacity within me? Could I somehow lead and inspire others? Could I really motivate others? Could I — little old me — inspire thousands or even millions of people to go for their dreams? To modify their behaviors for a better community and world? Me?!
And, what ripple effect would that have? Who might they then inspire?
Of course, the simple answer is yes. Yes, you could. Yes, you can! In fact, throughout time this is the only way our true heroes have come to be. And it’s the only way any change has ever taken root. The first step always takes the most courage, since it’s a challenge of self, belief and self-belief.
The Habit Factor starts with this fairly simple truth, “Nobody improves the world without first improving themselves.” And, whether hero or saint, it’s important to know that great achievers first went to work on themselves. While their dreams and visions were big, it was their smallest actions (deeds) that they revisited and reconstructed — their habitual thoughts. They identified what must be refined first in their own character.
So whether it’s Mother Teresa, MLK or JFK, rest assured they had the same doubts, the same internal dialogue, the same mortal flaws, yet they took action, they got to work on themselves. Small deeds — indeed!
Got Questions?
So, before you, I or anyone inspires even a single person, guess what? We must, must inspire ourselves. We have to breathe life into (inspirare: latin root) our own life. How does that happen? I believe it happens the very same way Roz or any great soul begins. It begins with a few powerful, reflective questions. What’s your passion? What would excite you to get out of bed every morning — fired up about the day, week and year ahead? As you may already know, Roz asked some difficult questions and performed the ultimate “begin with the end in mind” exercise (to borrow a phrase from Covey’s The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People). If “beginning with the end in mind” (habit #2) is great for goals and projects, you can be certain it’s helpful for your life! Powerful questions like, “What would I want to be remembered for?” “What legacy could I leave?” “If I died tomorrow, how would my obituary read?” “How would I want it to read?” These questions challenge your vision, imagination and, yes, your courage.
Freedom Inspires
Be a lamp unto yourself. Work out your liberation with diligence. ~Buddha
Here’s the real gem: Once you get real — get personal and identify the answers to those very personal questions — once you shine the light on yourself diligently, you will be FREE – fully liberated. And nothing leads better than liberty, hence Roz’s incredible appeal: a liberated soul on a mission to transform our cultural and global environmental legacy. She can do it – we can do it.
What’s your legacy? What’s your BIG vision? What’s your next small deed?
Go Roz, Go!!
Written by,
Martin Grunburg is the author of the Amazon bestseller The Habit Factor. He’s an executive and Master Coach, speaker and trainer who has designed/developed the world’s #1 Goals & Habits app (iPhone/Android), also titled, The Habit Factor. The app has touched the lives of tens of thousands around the world and features Habit Alignment Technology, a methodology proven to be the fastest and surest way to achieve your biggest goals.
Sponsored Miles: Thank you Ian Hamby. An anonymous donor sponsored quite a few miles. Also a special thank you to Donald German who had actually sponsored numbers beyond where Roz is likely to go so was allocated earlier numbers.
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