Tag: excellence

THE DEFINITION OF EXCELLENCE

The ‘secret of success’. It is something that billions are spent on every year to discover. The amusing part of this is that it can be found in this quote by Aristotle. You need to have successful habits. Ones that continually push you to be a better version of yourself. If you make exercise and learning a habit, there is no limit to where this world may take you. When we are stressed, we do not rise to the level of our goals, we fall to the level of our habits. That is why it is paramount that we begin to work on them as soon as we can. Habits take time to develop. They are also easier to develop when we are not in a stressed state.

A few years back, I appeared on the television show Positively Milwaukee. One of the strategies for success that I advocated that day was that we should learn to swim while we are on the shore and not when the ship is sinking. Meaning, that learning and perfecting skills should be done before we need them. When will we need them? We never know. That is why it is so important to get into the habits that will be profitable to our lives now. Profitable does not only refer to financial concerns. A habit that increases, or profits, our health is a vital one to have. Self-care is a great habit to develop for mental health purposes. When will we need a hand with a mental health? That can be right around the corner!

Another important aspect to consider about success is that it cannot be compartmentalized. We have seen this is CEOs, celebrities and others. If your success in one area of your life comes at the sacrifice of others, you are not a success. If you are wealthy, but you family is not happy or your friendships are suffering, are you truly successful? We need to develop excellence habits and apply them to every area of our life. What healthy habits for excellence do you have? Which ones do you think would be healthy to develop?

EXCELLENCE IS A HABIT 💪

There are far too many people that fail to see the power in this quote. It is a fool who thinks that they can be excellent when it matters. When stressed, we do not revert to our goals, we revert to our habits. This does not have to be a bad thing. What it means is that it is very important to establish successful habits. Act in excellence in everything we do. If you are cleaning the house, do not clean around things, but pick them up and clean underneath them. What you do when nobody is watching will have a huge impact on what you do when everyone is watching.

In my discussions with my new podcast partner, we discussed what I believe can be a very powerful habit that will not only set you up for success in all of your relationships, but will even improve them as you practice. The habit is both simple and fun. It will make all of your relationships closer and the bonds stronger. While doing so, it will also give you a boost of good feelings. This is the simple and powerful habit. Once a week, sit down and write out a greeting card. Yes, the old fashioned things that people used to send. You do not have to spend a lot. You can even order a pack online in a design that pleases you. Once a week, sit down and write what you genuinely appreciate about one person in your life. Then send it to them. Imagine how they will feel when they are expecting bills or ads and here comes a heartfelt card from you! The fact that nobody sends cards out anymore is part of what makes it special.

Not into the whole greeting card thing? Maybe you do not know the addresses of many of your friends? Another opportunity exists on social media! Can you imagine a post that is nothing other than a genuine list of why you appreciate the friendship you share with someone? It will not only inspire and make the person it is addressed to feel good, but everyone who happens to read it as well! Often, online worlds have a shortage of positive material. Adding this one thing can change the day for many people.

Getting in this habit of appreciation will program your mind to look for the good in people. I cannot tell you how amazing that will be for your life. You will not only feel better about the world, so will everyone you share it with. Imagine doing this to 52 different people in a year! (Once a week, 52 weeks in a year) If you do not know 52 people, you can even repeat yourself. What kind of impact do you think this will have on your relationships? Think of how you can apply a habit like this in other areas of your life to help them grow. Soon, you will be developing excellence in all areas of your life.

NEW YEAR, OR ANOTHER YEAR? 🤔

This is one of those quotes that really call us out. We can have all the resolutions and grand goals we can think of, but if we don’t change the small things we do daily, nothing will change. It can be hard to change a habit that you are used to. I get that. One thing that may help is having a handy quote to say to yourself.

Saying “New year or another year?” When you are tempted not to follow through on a new discipline can have you stop and think. Margie found a quote we say to each other now, “Don’t put it down, put it away.” Taking a few seconds to put something back can save you from a feeling of overwhelm when you have a room full of stuff to put away later.

Have you come across a quote like this that you can use as a mantra to help you stick to your goals? I recall hearing one of my favorite fitness people I follow online, Greg Plitt (R.I.P) remind us that our names are attached to our actions. If you drop a piece of trash on the ground you pick it up because that represents who you are. Excellence is not a one time event. It is what we do everyday.

Share a quote that inspires you to be your best!