Commitment to Excellence

Tuesday November 18, 2014 #679

“Desire is the key to motivation, but it’s the determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal – a commitment to excellence – that will enable you to attain the success you seek.”

~Mario Andretti

Success begins with the desire to achieve a worthy goal or outcome, and I don’t know of a worthy goal that lacks significant obstacles requiring determination and persistence to overcome them.  So if you find yourself languishing in mediocrity, check first if you have the desire to achieve something great in the work or the environment you are in.  Without that desire, you’ll lack the motivation necessary to push through the inevitable challenges and achieve your worthy goal.

Sustainable Success

Thursday October 9, 2014 #669

“I’ve always been in the right place and time. Of course, I steered myself there.”

~Bob Hope

Why do some people seem to consistently achieve more than others?  I firmly believe there must be a combination of three things:  innate and/or learned talent, an authentic drive to help others succeed, and most importantly, intentional and persistent actions to be ready for any and all opportunities that come their way.  Talent may or may not be natural, but everyone can continuously learn to better themselves.  Consistent success only derives from a true energy around helping others succeed, vs. focusing selfishly on ourselves – this is true leadership.  But neither talent nor leadership ability delivers success without intentional actions.  You can get lucky once or twice, but sustainable excellence is an intentional journey.

Inspiring Excellence

Tuesday August 19, 2014 #654

“We are going to relentlessly pursue perfection knowing full well it is unobtainable, because in that relentless pursuit of perfection, we will achieve excellence.” 

~Vince Lombardi

I have long admired and tried to emulate people who are positive, inspirational and always seem to drive toward seemingly unattainable goals.  It is this combination of positivity and relentless drive to achieve the unachievable that I find so attractive.  You just can’t help believing in the mission and wanting to be a part of achieving their inspirational goal – even if it appears crazy.  By creating this environment, they almost always achieve more than if their goal was “realistic”.

There is the flip side:  the negative or nasty person who also is trying to push for the impossible – but since their approach is mean-spirited, they become repulsive and only lead by fear or intimidation.  They may achieve a few wins, but in the long term they lose.

Choose to be the positive person who creates the environment to achieve great things together – even the “impossible”!

Excellence

Tuesday March 4, 2014 #606

 

“The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.”

 

~Vince Lombardi

 

In my journey to understand the success factors for a quality life, I have seen one potent combination that more than any other seems to deliver joy, happiness, and ongoing achievement:  Commitment to excellence, tied to a clear target.  The target or targets for that commitment can be precise, or can evolve, or can change completely.  The point is to possess an attitude of excellence for whatever you have chosen for your short, medium and long term goals and aspirations.  Therefore, the combination of clarity of purpose and the quest for excellence is powerful indeed.  Neither delivers independently.  You must have both.

True Greatness

Tuesday November 26, 2013 #579

“No one ever attains very eminent success by simply doing what is required of him; it is the amount and excellence of what is over and above the required that determines the greatness of ultimate distinction.”

~Charles Kendall Adams

The majority of people put forth just enough effort to be relatively comfortable.  That gives you and me the opportunity to rise above this mediocrity and do amazing things!  Be the person who tries a bit harder, shows up a bit earlier, gives a bit more than is required, defends someone a bit weaker, laughs a bit more often, and decides to be a bit more successful.  Starting now.

Excellence is an Attitude

Thursday October 31, 2013 #572

 

“If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you develop the habit in little matters. Excellence is not an exception, it is a prevailing attitude.”

 

~Charles R. Swindoll

 

When we study those who achieve success over time (vs. the “one hit wonder”), a common characteristic is disciplined focus on excellence.  Not just in their particular talent, but in most aspects of their lives.  Unfortunately in our modern culture of instant gratification and speed, most are not able to sustain such discipline and thus their lives are not what they might want or be capable of.  The message for you?  Be the exception – decide today to be more focused and more disciplined on the little things in life, to begin building a habit of excellence.  You will find that you are in the minority and achievements and their results will fall more to you than to others.

Matching your talent and passion

Thursday October 11, 2012 #462

 

“When love and skill work together expect a masterpiece.”

 

~John Ruskin

 

We’ve all seen this – the otherwise talented person who doesn’t perform to their potential.  It could be you.  Why does this happen?  More often than not, the person’s profession or sport or other activity is not where their passions lie.  Talent can get you far, but only talent combined with passion creates excellence.   Ideally, you will find a career that you have great talent for and which you love passionately.  Even if it is only a hobby, matching your talent and passion will maximize not only your potential, but your happiness as well.

The path to mastery

Tuesday January 10, 2012 #384

“If people knew how hard I worked to get my mastery, it wouldn’t seem so wonderful after all.”

~Michelangelo

Whether it is art, sport, business leadership, financial success, or, more importantly, being a good friend, colleague, parent or partner, the path is never easy.  Those we admire who operate at exceptional levels at any of these pursuits got there through intensity, focus, drive, perseverance and passion.  Talent helps – a lot – but won’t get you there unless you are willing to put in the time and effort necessary to achieve mastery.  Are you willing to do what it takes to be exceptional?

The intention for excellence

Thursday May 26, 2011 #319

“Since most of us spend our lives doing ordinary tasks, the most important thing is to carry them out extraordinarily well.”

 ~Thoreau

I have learned this lesson from key mentors and in my own experience:  I am most content and inspired when I live my life with the intention for excellence.  No matter what the task or interaction, I strive to engage each with my best efforts.  I don’t always succeed and can find myself less energized and even depressed when I give less of myself.  When we focus with intention to bring the best of ourselves to every encounter and activity, we create amazing impact and bring about our own satisfaction and happiness.