Alex Shalman . comPractical Personal Development

In honor of President’s Day I have researched America’s Top Three President’s . What characteristics propelled them to the top of the greatest nation in the world? What does their personal development genius consist of? Who are considered America’s Top Three Presidents?

George Washington

Washington, a great war general, was also a man of conscious, a generous one at that. He lived by the philosophy of giving and said to “let your heart feel for the afflictions and distress of everyone, and let your hand give in proportion to your purse.”

Washingston also believed that descipline is at the heart of success.

Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable; procures success to the weak, and esteem to all.

While he does speak of the benefits of discipline in war, it is a metaphor for everyone, not just soldiers. When emotions and motivation wear thin, what we have left are acts of habit and discipline. Obtain the discipline to do tasks that are good for you, but you don’t necessarily want to, and you will experience the boost in self esteem that Washington speaks of.

Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln was committed to constant and never ending improvement. Does that remind you of anyone?

Abe valued industry above all else and loved nothing more than to devour information in the form of famous works. This made him a thorough reader and elegant writer.

Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other.

He attributes his great success in law and politics to comparing himself to non other than himself. Set your goals and let them be your driving force, rather than trying to get a one up on your competition.

They say that it’s easier to get to the number one spot than to maintain it, but I believe that by constantly setting higher goals to achieve we will always be striving for number one, even when we’re miles ahead of the competition.

Speaking of competition, Abe’s take on enemies is as follows. “Am I not destroying my enemies when I make friends of them?” A great philosophy to live by, whether you’re in charge of international relations or a 5th grader being approached by the local bully.

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Roosevelt believed that in order to achieve success one has to try, fail, and try again, until they succeed. Nothing great has been accomplished with out persistence.

It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.

Roosevelt makes a great point about self-doubt, or the lack there of. Eliminate self doubt and you WILL be able to achieve all your goals.

The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.

What’s in common?

All three Presidents contribute their success to their mothers. George Washington was found saying:

My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her.

Abraham Lincoln said:

All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.

When Franklin Roosevelt’s marriage was in jeapordy and leading to a politically messy divorce, his mother stepped in to arbitrate. According to historian Mark Leff,

The marriage that emerged from this crisis was the most prominent and consequential political partnership of the century.

These masculine leaders of men all had a large female influence in their life. Who helped shape your character? Who could you attribute some of your success to?