SUCCESS RULE # 52 – Expect Excellence: In yourself and others

Before we get started, let’s put things into perspective. During my presentations, I sometimes ask my audiences if they are good at what they do; most individuals acknowledge that they are. Perhaps you do as well.

When asked to associate a word with the left end of a 1 to 10 point line scale (the number 1), many refer to the word poor, or unacceptable. Asked again to identify the far right of the scale (number 10), I often hear excellent or best. So when completing the association, what we typically see is, “Poor” (1), “Good” (5) and “Excellent”(10). So what does that make “Good”? Well just average, mediocre, middle of the road. So, let me ask . . . “Are you ‘good’ at what you do?”

When striving for excellence in yourself, here are several things to consider.
1.) Define excellence as a core value. Make it a part of who you are. When others think of excellence let them think of you.
2.) Be mindful. When faced with a decision or moral dilemma, ask yourself, “Is what I am about to do moving me closer to, or further away from excellence?”
3.) Know what excellence is. Make excellence your standard.
4.) Pay attention to the details. See each project, goal, even the smallest of tasks that you do, as great and noble.
5.) Don’t confuse excellence with perfection. Perfectionism can derail you from excellence in that there is actually a diminishing return in your quest to be perfect. (Click here for Excellence vs Perfection outline))
6.) Think in terms of incremental improvements versus revolutionary change. Olympic athletes measure their success in seconds and tenths of a point.
7.) Compete with yourself.
8.) Watch the movies Lincoln and Iron Lady; read Martin Luther King’s speech, “I Have a Dream” and Rudyard Kipling’s poem, “If”.

When striving to instill excellence in others.
1.) Create a culture of excellence. Start with defining excellence as an organizational/family core value. It requires changing the way others think.
2.) Practice what you preach. Exemplify excellence in your own work. Inspire others with it.
3.) Be clear with your expectations . . . without expecting perfection. Set others up for success.
4.) Use rewards to reinforce culture versus simply performance.
5.) DO NOT take care of others, instead CARE ABOUT THEM. In others words encourage them, challenge them, appreciate them, hold them accountable, but whatever you do, do not enable them. It might be easier/quicker to do it yourself – don’t. You may not want to deal with the subsequent confrontation – deal with it.
For 2014 let’s not settle for being good at what we do. Remember, we are what we are expected to be, and so it is, others too have the propensity to live up to what is expected of them. Expect mediocrity and mediocrity is what you will get. Expect excellence and excellence is what you will have.

“Be Extraordinary”! - Let it be a way of life, not just a catch phrase.

Anthony Tormey

Founder & CEO

Leader Development Institute

www.LdiWorld.com

Don't forget to sign up for our FREE Newsletter to receive these Success Rules as they are published.  Click Here Now!

Year End Bonus – Tips to Endure

Once again a year is coming to its’ close.  The harried hustle seems to be contagious and can be overwhelming.  Retailers are gearing up for the end of year sales push, businesses are pulling together the end of year numbers, people are trying to fit one more thing into their already crowded calendars and school children are counting down the days until winter break.  For those of us living in the northern regions, we are pulling on our winter coats and trying to remember where we put that other glove.  Every year this happens and every year we make it through.

This month, instead of a “Success Rule”, I thought I’d pass along some tips to get you through with your sanity intact.  If you have been a “Success Rule” reader, some of these might look familiar.  But it is nice to have them all in one place to remind you of their need, especially at this time of year.

1.     Laugh! – Watch a favorite comedy show, go to a card store and read the cards in the “Humorous” section, spend time with people who make you laugh, watch crazy cat/dog/people videos on YouTube, play dress up with a 5-year old, there are so many ways to tickle your funny bone and now is the time!

2.     Cry! – The holiday season is often a hard time of year as we remember years gone by and the people who are no longer with us.  Trying to be cheery and bright can be a tall order.  Let yourself cry.  It’s alright to allow those tears to well up and fall from time to time.  Even sob if you must, it is cleansing.  Then pick yourself up, wipe your nose and refer to tip number one.  Of course, if you are truly depressed, seek help.  Talk to your doctor or a trusted friend.  There is no shame in admitting that you just aren’t coping too well with life right now.

3.     Sing! – Who cares if you can’t carry a tune in a bucket, sing anyway!  Everywhere you go at this time of year, Christmas music is playing.  If you don’t know the words, hum!  Need some cheer right now, how about “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer”or “I Want A HippopotamusFor Christmas”

4.     Say No! – It seems that there are invitations to parties, family get-togethers, stores with that “Sale of the Year” that you can’t afford to miss, church events, cards to send, appointments to make, buying food, cooking food and, my favorite, eating food.   Nowhere is it written, or at least not that I could find, that you have to say yes to everything.   Do what you want to do and let the rest go.  Make a mental list, if not a physical one, of what is on your plate so to speak.  Prioritize the things that are most important to you.  If you run into a situation where you feel pushed to say yes, but would rather say no, be honest and say no.  A simple response I use is “I am sorry, but I can’t fit one more thing onto my plate right now.”  If someone is asking to spend time with you over the holiday season, and you would like to do that, suggest you get together in the New Year. 

5.     Give yourself a day off! -   Go to your calendar, date book, phone app or whatever right now, pick a day and mark it “My day off”.  Then stick to it! (See number 4 above)  That means, if someone asks you to do something that day, you say, “Oh, I’m sorry, I am already booked that day for something else.”  Of course, if it’s something you really and truly want to do, then do it as a treat to yourself.  Use that day to treat yourself to down time, do something you like, a hobby perhaps.  If you have a spouse and/or children, let them know it is your day off and they are on their own.  If you need to, go somewhere away from the stress. 

6.     Don’t Worry, Be Happy! – If doing numbers four and five seem out of your comfort zone, don’t worry, people will get over it.  If they don’t, they don’t.  In either case, do not allow others to steal your joy.  We are as happy as we make up our minds to be. - Abraham Lincoln

7.     Enjoy the sunshine! – Although the days are shorter, there is still some sunshine.  Perhaps not every day, but at some point, the sun does shine.  Get out in it whenever you can.  Too cold?  Open your blinds and just enjoy the view.  Remember, December 22 is the winter solstice.  After that, the days will start getting longer.

There are only a few weeks left in 2013, you may be surprised at how much better they can be if you follow these tips to endure and persevere.

Have a Great Holiday Season and a Happy New Year!  See you in 2014!

Executive Assistant

Leader Development Institute

www.LDiWorld.com