Month: January 2023

Notice I am saying “excellence,” not perfection. Perfection is rarely possible no matter how much effort is expended. I define excellence as doing the very best that I am capable of doing.

The pendulum swing for all our actions usually ranges from dropping the ball completely to a perfectionistic ideal that is impossible to achieve. Somewhere along the pendulum swing is “good enough.” Jim Collins wrote in his book “Good to Great” that “good is the enemy of great.” His point is that when we achieve good, most will think that is “good enough.” When that happens most will quit aspiring to greatness.

I want to suggest there is a place beyond good that I have called Excellent. St. Paul writes, “Whatever you do, work at with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Colossians 3:23 You probably have read this verse or heard it quoted before. Let’s break that down a little. First let’s start with the statement: “Whatever you do.” There is a real sense of choice in that statement. It isn’t restricted to what you do at work, at home, or for your hobby. It might as well read: In EVERYTHING you do. One of the real barriers most face in living up to this standard is that they take on too much. We allow ourselves to become too busy and take on too many responsibilities We lack the ability to draw clear lines and set appropriate boundaries. Because of others’ expectations and an inability to say NO our lives have spun out of control so that excellence in anything is a fantasy. Instead of Excellence in all things, our motto has become Mediocrity in all things.  Given the fast pace of our lives, it can hardly be anything else.

When that is the case it affects our parenting, our marriages, our work, our health, our emotional stability, our devotion to God: EVERYTHING. I’m sure you can feel that the pace of your life is kind of like going downhill on a skateboard with everything flashing by so quickly and feeling only a precarious balance that wobbles toward disaster with every pebble that goes under the wheels. We have to find a way to slow down – I have more to say on this in other proverbs.

The second part of the verse says “as unto the Lord,” meaning that because of the reverence in which Paul is assuming his readers have toward God, that they would want to do their very best. Hopefully, you feel that way about God, but even if you don’t you can recognize what Paul is trying to say, “Make that person proud of you because of the effort you have made to do the best you are capable of doing.” I want to make God proud of what I do, but I have others that I have wanted to impress. I remember when I got my first professional job, I immediately called my Dad and Mom because I knew they would be proud of me. When I received recognition at work and shared that with my wife I felt validated because of her pride in me. Just as importantly, when I put forth my best efforts, even when it isn’t acknowledged by others, I now feel proud of what I have done and it increases my sense of self-worth. And when I cut corners I know that, too, and it also has an effect on my self-worth. I wonder if that isn’t a big part of what is affecting our society as a whole where we see so many struggling with self-worth issues.

Make this proverb, “Excellence in all things,” your personal motto. Build a reputation as someone who does things right; as someone who puts their entire energy into the task; their whole heart.  Consider every act from the perspective of how you would present your efforts to God for review. So this comes down to two key concepts. First, focus your efforts and limit your commitments, not only will you be able to do a better job on those things you focus upon, you will be happier and more fulfilled. Second, do your best so that you and God can be proud of what you have done? Your reputation will follow you so always strive for excellence.

I first heard this statement at a leadership conference I attended made by John Maxwell. Over the years my personal experience has convinced me that this is absolutely true.  Everything and I mean everything rises and falls on leadership! It is easy to see this wherever you go, from the grocery store to the restaurant to your work, your church, your club, or your home. There simply isn’t any area of your life that isn’t impacted by leadership, it impacts every area of your life, whether you are by yourself or surrounded by other people. Good leadership will provide direction and allocate appropriate resources toward reaching a goal. Poor leadership will create disgruntlement, dissatisfaction, and a general feeling of being without purpose.

Our problem is that when we talk about leadership we typically think about how others are or are not leading, usually whining about how their leadership is hurting us. The real starting point, however, has to be the person you see when you look in a mirror. That’s right YOU. If something in your life is not going well, assume you have the ability to improve the situation. Ask yourself, “What can I do to lead myself, and or others to a different and better solution or practice.”  If good things are happening, it is because someone is exercising leadership (it might be you!).  

Let me share a story with you. Years ago I noticed that we more often than not arrived as a family to church late and with a lot of arguing and harsh words. I began to realize that what I had been doing to lead in this particular situation wasn’t working. I wasn’t really leading at all, I was dictating and then frustrated when my orders weren’t being followed. That is often how leadership is perceived, that is, I give the orders and you do what I say, but that really isn’t leadership at all. So, I tried to think what it would take to get us all out the door on time and in relatively good moods. I deduced it hinged around getting everyone out of bed early enough so that we could all eat breakfast and get ready without having to resort to screaming and yelling. What would it take, I thought, to get everyone out of bed that would work week after week?

I had it, if the breakfast was something that was highly desired that might work. We did have a favorite breakfast that we rarely made but it had the potential to do just that. It was a family recipe I loved growing up and I knew my kids loved it too. So, I calculated what I needed to do to get myself up early enough to get me ready, so I could make this breakfast recipe early enough that if would achieve the ultimate goal. The breakfast recipe was for chocolate gravy and biscuits. My children LOVED this breakfast. The first week I did this it worked perfectly and I continued to follow this same pattern every week for the next decade until all the children had left home. It required a little sacrifice on my part in getting up earlier and making the breakfast but also became a great mentoring experience as eventually, the children joined me in making the breakfast.

This is a simple story but illustrates the fact that you first have to lead yourself. If you extend the same principle it applies to every aspect of your life.  If mediocrity prevails, it is because someone is not leading very effectively (it might be you!).  If bad things are happening, it is because someone is not leading (maybe you should start leading!).  This applies to your work, to your family, to your home, and especially to YOU!  Do not be a victim who blames circumstances or others for their predicament. Instead, choose to lead.  

This is a pet peeve of mine; we are much more likely to whine about why we can’t do something than to attempt to find a solution to solve the problem. We are surrounded by people that would rather be victims than take the extra effort necessary to lead themselves and step into the gap and lead others. You do not have to be a victim. You give away your power when you blame anyone for holding you back or keeping you down. Take a look at the problem and work backward to find a solution. If you are willing to pay the price you can succeed where others languish and fail. Look around you: everything rises and falls on leadership and you always have the choice to lead yourself even if you lead no one else. Do not accept the role of a victim to whom things happen, instead adopt the mindset of a leader who chooses to make a difference.