Thursday Thoughts

It's that time again, and I'd like to direct your attention to the concept of excellence today. Most people equate excellence with over-achievers, control freaks, or naturally gifted individuals; their talents and/or dedication to achieve the best results are greater than the average person's. But this is not a complete picture of excellence; results cannot justify the means by which they were achieved. A person's motives in striving for excellence must also be examined.

Memorizing facts to get a better grade on a test only to forget them immediately after said test is in no way a measure of excellence; while the grade scored may pad your average in the class, do you really have anything to show for it? True excellence involves sacrifice of self, honest intentions, and attention to detail. While appearances can lead people to conclude that an effort was truly excellent, only its contributors can know the story behind its production.

Strive for excellence in your every effort, but begin by committing yourself to complete each project you undertake. Cheating or skimping on the project may not be obvious to outsiders, but you will know. Your sense of accomplishment in completing a true 'job well done' includes your methods and motives for completing that job.