| Excellence doesn't seem to be a sought-after | | | | our tasks. In school, I often encourage my |
| quality these days. We see it in our economy ~ | | | | children (not to mention myself!) to do an attitude |
| when banks and insurance companies need | | | | check before they start an activity. It makes all |
| bail-outs as a result of shoddy or irresponsible | | | | the difference, not only in the process, but in the |
| business practices. We see it in our government - | | | | outcome. |
| with the ever-increasing amount of debt and | | | | 2 - Expectations (how we think) - Because of this |
| ever-decreasing efficiency of operations. We see | | | | enthusiasm, there is always the desire to achieve, |
| it in education - when students are promoted | | | | to do better. This opens up one's eyes and mind |
| despite failing grades; when teachers teach "to | | | | to be creative and notch it up a level; to always |
| the test" and when education as a whole is being | | | | desire to "build the better mousetrap". If we think |
| "dummed down". | | | | we can handle a project, we usually can! If we |
| Don't believe for a minute that as long as we | | | | intend to do it better, well...we usually do! |
| accept the status quo, allow ourselves to get | | | | 3 - Effort (how we act) - The natural sum of an |
| mired in mediocrity or settle for "whatever", that | | | | enthusiastic attitude and high expectations is |
| we will be able to restore our culture or our | | | | concerted effort. The excellence-seeker knows |
| country to the position of leadership and rate of | | | | "what is best" takes work to achieve. They are |
| progress we once enjoyed. | | | | not afraid of doing the hard thing or going the |
| In order to begin to re-introduce the concept of | | | | extra mile. And it shows in whatever they put |
| excellence to our culture, we have to know what | | | | their hands to... |
| it is characterized by and what it looks like. | | | | So here's where you, the reader, come in. |
| Excellence is achieved by "gearing up" in 3 areas: | | | | Resolve to face whatever tasks you have today |
| how we feel, how we think, and how we act. | | | | with excellence. Resolve to try it again tomorrow! |
| 1 - Enthusiasm (how we feel) - There is a popular | | | | When something doesn't turn out as you'd have |
| reply among teens these days: "Whatever." It | | | | liked, see what you can learn from it, and begin |
| reflects a laissez-faire attitude that is satisfied | | | | again. We can't expect our children, our family, our |
| with just getting by. Those who strive for | | | | church or our government to do what we're not |
| excellence are never satisfied with just getting by; | | | | willing to attempt ourselves. Change always begins |
| "good" or "ok" are just not acceptable! Their | | | | with the individual - resolve today to be an |
| motto is "there's always room for improvement". | | | | individual characterized by and displaying true |
| If we are to go about doing anything with | | | | excellence! |
| excellence, we need to muster up enthusiasm for | | | | |