How to Do Your Duty

If you’ve been following my blog, then you’ve spent plenty of time reading about duty. I’ve written a lot about the theory and history of duty, and my last post explained why it’s critical for you to find your life’s purpose and do your duty. But none of that will do you any good unless you know how to do your duty. Today’s post will point you in the right direction.

Step One: Build strength

When it comes to doing your duty, you can’t be hesitant. You need to act with confidence and precision. But before you can do that, you need to know what your purpose is. Otherwise, you’ll feel indecisive and weak—exactly what you don’t want when you’re trying to make an impact in the world. So spend time getting to know yourself better. Once you understand what you were put on this earth to do, it will be easier to focus on the task at hand. Abraham Lincoln once said: “Let us have the faith that might makes right; and in that faith let us, to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it.” 

Step Two: Build your confidence

Once you’ve found your purpose, you need to learn as much as you can about it. Whether it’s a business idea or a desire to build a family, start by talking to other likeminded people, reading books, listening to audios, and taking courses. Immerse yourself in it. Because the more you understand your goal and everything about it, the more confidence you’ll have when it’s time to do your duty. And that’s important—because confidence drives action.

Seems simple, doesn’t it? That’s because it is. But it doesn’t mean it will be easy. As I wrote in Toughen Up, “We have to strive for it, work for it, and settle for nothing less than real excellence. Never let convenience or any other distractions get in the way. That’s toughness. And it’s our duty.”

Step Three: Build your plan

Imagine that you’re building a new home. But your contractor tells you that since they have the materials and the skills, they don’t need a blueprint. They’ll just design your house as they go. You probably wouldn’t have a lot of confidence in them, would you? After all, building a house without a plan just doesn’t make sense.

It’s the same when it comes to doing your duty. You may have confidence and strength, but without a plan, it’s easy to get confused and make poor choices. Plus, putting a plan on paper makes your life’s purpose real. It will bring you clarity and it will make it easier to gather people who will work with you to achieve your duty.

Why not sit down and write your plan today?

13 thoughts on “How to Do Your Duty

  1. Well stated Claude we all need to be reminded of what is our life duty (purpose) so many just live a life of mediocrity never realizing their full potential and in the end having regret.

  2. Merci Claude pour cet enseignement….
    Heureusement que nous pouvons te lire grâce a google translate car notre anglais est maladroit!!
    Nous esperons t’avoir avec nous en France lorsque tu penses que ce sera nécessaire.
    Que dieu te garde toi et ta famille
    Aline et jean jacques

  3. DEFINE your dream aka goal. Put a actual date on it and be prepared to fail until you succeed.
    LEARN from a mentor who has the fruit on the tree aka he or she is living the life you want.
    BE yourself, don’t act like them just model and message their good works.
    DO what they do and you will have what they have too aka Do Hard Work!
    BECOME the person GOD created you to become by getting better, not bitter.
    Claude Hamilton is a great Man to follow, his DUTY to God is obvious and he’s following
    JESUS CHRIST who will never forget us or forsake us. cap

  4. “But none of that will do you any good unless you know how to do your duty” – Agreed. Nothing worse than finding out after many years that one has been confidently going nowhere with a great attitude but zero competence for the task at hand. “Talking to other likeminded people, reading books, listening to audios, and taking courses” does make a difference.

  5. Thank you Claude for your continuing example of all that is dutiful and honorable. Actions speak louder than words, and your actions are eloquent!!

  6. Thanks Claude for another amazing post full of wisdom and advice on how to live a life that leads to fulfilment. We’re so honoured and proud to be associated with Kaizen. Best Regards.

  7. Thanks for this post Claude! It really hit home for me personally and reminds us that whatever it is we plan to do with doing our duty and serving others that it is so crucial to put pen to paper so our plan is in place to do great things. Admire and appreciate how you serve others. Take care!

  8. Great post Claude. You are a fantastic example of what happens when a man lives his life with a code of Honor and duty. I appreciate you setting that example for us to follow.

  9. Hi Claude great post. I believe so few people are Living their duty (purpose). Thank you for everything you do, especially trying to help every individual you come in contact with to do better and be a better person. God Bless

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