Excellence Matters
Posted: April 30, 2015
A good quote gets your attention. It makes you think. Hopefully, it inspires you to action, too. So as part of my ongoing series of interesting quotes, I have several for you to consider this week.
To get the ball rolling, here’s one of my favorites: “If you tolerate okay, it keeps you from being excellent.” -Dave Ramsey.
It’s very easy to settle. It doesn’t cost you nearly as much, in the short term. But what about the opportunity cost of what you might be missing out on?
Unfortunately, we often tend to focus only on the now. If something is hard or painful, or just taking too long, we’ll back away. I see it all the time. I’ve done it myself.
We need to learn to commit to pushing on through. To take it to another level. It’s that kind of effort where everything can change. We don’t have to tolerate just okay.
But sometimes getting to excellence isn’t our issue. Sometimes we can’t even get started. But if you’re ever going to get anywhere, you first have to pull out of the drive.
That leads me to the next great quote: “The secret to getting ahead is getting started.” -Mark Twain. Simple, but profound. Just get started.
It’s critical we understand the importance of taking action. That’s where we can create some movement in our situation, and when we’ll finally gain traction and momentum.
Remember, inaction is also a choice, and usually not a good one. It’s kind of like the guy caught in the middle of the street with a car bearing down on him. Afraid to jump to either side, he freezes, then wham! Do something!
Or it’s like the person knowing they’re at risk for diabetes or heart disease if they don’t lose weight. Often overwhelmed, they simply don’t see a way to succeed. So they sit there.
Do something, anything. But get started. Your life could depend on it. Certainly your qualify of life does.
Finally, there’s one other thing that’s been on my mind lately. This one kind of stings, but we really need to do better with the little things.
“There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.” -Beverly Sill. If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well. It becomes a question of character.
It’s easy to get a little lazy and take our foot off the gas. Then we start making little compromises. Then it’s shortcuts. Been there, done that.
Along the way, it doesn’t seem like such a big deal. But before you know it, little things have turned into big things. While the little things won’t necessarily sink you, the big things can take you out!
It works the other way too. When we start focusing on the little things, they’ll start adding up, but in our favor this time. And those little things can become big things.
So don’t just tolerate okay, and don’t take shortcuts. Figure out what you want to go, and just get started. Do all the little things it takes, and then enjoy the journey!