THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE

June 17, 2021 –

The American College Dictionary defines Pursuit as “the effort to secure; quest. It defines Excellence as, “state of excelling; superiority; eminence.” Combining these two thoughts gives us a definition for The Pursuit of Excellence: “the quest for eminence or the effort to excel.”

The Pursuit of Excellence is not a project with a starting and ending point but rather a constant process. It’s also not a destination one arrives at. Instead, it is a life-long journey filled with excitement, surprises, and great rewards. It’s an hour-by-hour, day-by-day, and week-by-week program. Excellence is not something that happens; it’s the by-product of three things:

  1. YOUR ATTITUDE — Attitude is essential because it helps determine how you approach life and how others respond to you. Things always seem to go right for those with a positive —- I can do it— attitude and seem always to turn out wrong for individuals with a negative — that’s my lot in life -attitude. People in the Pursuit of excellence have a positive attitude; those who are comfortable being average, exhibit, at best, a “whatever will be, will be” attitude. So take charge of your attitude.
  2. YOUR ASPIRATIONS — Lofty goals require an extraordinary effort but, they have incredible payoffs. Today, set your goal to be the best you can be. If you haven’t committed yourself to be all you can be, do it now.

Make your standard the standard of excellence. Measure your every action by asking, “Is this my best?” Many people are surprised to discover the power contained in plain old desire. Desire something strongly enough, and you will achieve it.

  1. YOUR ACTIONS— Here is where many people fail in their pursuit of excellence. They fail to execute. Every action — not just one or two — must be carried out in an ideal way. To become the best, you must give your best, not sometimes, but all of the time. Never cut corners. In every activity, do more than is expected. Go the extra mile. Deliver the “baker’s dozen.”

Now and then, it’s good to pause in our pursuit of excellence and be excellent.