Gumption is a word that acts like Captain James T. Kirk is often quoted saying, “…boldly go where no one has gone before.”
Gumption:
1 .Boldness of enterprise; initiative or aggressiveness.
2. Guts; spunk.
3. Common sense.
What a story Gumption creates. It has a place in my Word Hall of Fame. The mixture of initiative, risk and common sense is a recipe for a hero. This word is a noun, a person, place, or thing, but it feels more like a verb, an action, a way of being.
I look for power words. Words to take on a quest, inspire an audience, and save me on a rainy day when the SADS, the seasonally afflicted disorders, drizzle forth ‘stinking thinking’.
Who’s Got Gumption and where does it come from?
How did they get it?
How can I get some?
It comes from the same store that serves other Hall of Fame Words, like Attention, Belief, Conscience, Discipline, Effort, Feedback, down the G aisle along with Grace and Gratitude. A place where words are tools to build skills, balance our karma and transform words into action.
All our heroes have Gumption. Parenting requires Gumption: the whole concept of birthing, caring, teaching, and patience of parenting require Gumption.
We build Gumption from taking risks. Risks are very individual. There are physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and business risks. One person risks a six-figure income to start his or her own business. Another takes a risk and leaves their comfort zone to teach others to take risks. Some risk their ‘likeability’ by knocking on a door, making cold calls, risking rejection. Some have risked physical safety by walking on fire, parachuting for fun and thrills. Taking on challenges builds Gumption.
Life changes are risky business, and appreciating changes builds Gumption.
Expressing yourself is a form of risk. This message, expressing my beliefs, is a form of risk. Each time I write I build my Gumption account.
Gumption is a power word, full of spunk and common sense that keeps attention free, creating heroes of us all.
There may be a business teaching Gumption and passing out Free Risk cards.
“Excuse me, I have something for you. This is a Free Risk card. The bearer of this card has all the Free Attention they need to handle any counter-productive behavior and unintentional beliefs that may tell you that your risk is impossible. This is your Gumption card.”
On the back of the card is written:
Risking Builds Gumption. Be Safe and Go for it!