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.
