Do you strive for excellence, or accept average? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.
“One key to knowing joy is to be easily pleased.”
“You’re Astonishing! How dare you waste it!”
“Just because you can’t keep up doesn’t mean you can’t show up.”
Image from Unsplash by Meghan Holmes
The 2024 summer Olympics begin on Friday July 26th. If you’re a fan like me, you’ll be tuned into this global event, watching over 10,000 athletes pursue new levels of excellence and those elusive medals.
My coaching career was inspired by the 5,000+ athletes and 2,000+ coaches at the 1992 Barcelona games.
Seeing the correlation between coaching and the highest levels of performance in sport inspired me to raise my own bar of achievement and help others pursue new levels of success in their personal and professional lives.
EXERCISE:
Where in your world do you see the bar being raised to new heights?
How and in what ways are you preparing for your personal Olympics with the goal of having a gold medal life?
Image from Unsplash by Colton Sturgeon
Today’s quote made me smile and frown at the same time—I love being happily surprised and astonished by amazing people, places, and things.
Seeing what is possible become realized inspires me to continue my own pursuit of excellence.
What have you done or achieved in your life which astonished yourself and others?
How far back do you need to go to recall these memories?
What have you done more recently that raises eyebrows and has more than a few jaws drop?
EXERCISE:
Who do you know that astonishes you?
When did you last tell them about your thoughts and feelings?
How much of your potential for excellence and greatness is still in the tank?
Image from Unsplash by Armand Khoury
Where are you still climbing the ladders of life? Where do you continue to learn, grow, and achieve new levels of excellence and mastery?
Where have you peaked in your personal and professional efforts? Where it is harder to keep up with your former self?
In what areas of your life have you noticed declines in physical or mental capacities, and how well are you doing navigating this descent?
Consider reading Brook’s book From Strength to Strength and pay particular attention to the concepts of fluid versus crystalized intelligence. These concepts were first described by Raymond Cattell in his 1971 book, Abilities: Structure, Growth, and Action.
I hope these resources offer you evidence and that we can all keep getting better in ways we may previously not have considered.
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We live in a world of constant comparison. It is driving many of us crazy.
Foolishly we believe that constantly pursuing excellence in all things is a sign of worldliness and higher status. Consider this list:
When we see ourselves as special, deserving only the best, we can become isolated. When no one or no-thing can meet our high standards on every occasion we are guaranteed to be let down.
What if instead, we seek to discover the specialness in all things that come our way as a path toward greater joy and happiness?
Consider reading Factfulness by Hans Rosling. I am sure you will be even more easily pleased with your life.
Go back in time and take a look at your report cards from your days at school. How were your grades, what were your favorite subjects? Where did you intentionally pursue and achieve levels of excellence?
How have things been going for you in your personal and professional worlds since those days? What would your report card look like today, given the many roles you play in your various communities?
In what areas and in what ways have you developed the habit of pursuing excellence in matters both big and small?
What are a few areas of your life in which an adjustment of both attitude and effort would make the biggest difference and help you achieve big things?
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It was the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games that inspired me to become a coach. Here were some of the best athletes in the world, and they all worked with a coach to pursue and achieve excellence in their chosen sport.
Where are you currently pursuing personal or professional excellence?
Did you know that based on current market prices, a 2016 Gold Medal is worth about $587, given that it is composed of 494 grams of silver and 6 grams of gold?
What do you think these symbols of extraordinary effort and achievement are worth to these remarkable athletes? What would you imagine is the intrinsic value of the Olympic experience?
In what ways do you live a gold medal life?
What in your life do you consider priceless?
Take some time today to be more fully grateful for all the blessings and riches we sometimes forget.
Image from Unsplash by Serena Repice Lentini
What percent of the time do you give your personal and professional activities your very best?
How often do you feel stretched and notice the burn physically, mentally, or emotionally as you take on a particular challenge?
In grade school, I had the opportunity to visit New York and climb to the crown of the Statue of Liberty. The 162 steps to the top seemed like a million. I recall the heat and shaking in my legs as I tried to keep pace.
No one was stopping to catch their breath on the various platforms, and I sure didn’t want to look like a slacker in front of my friends.
Twenty minutes or so from my first step, I received my crowning reward, seeing the panoramic view of New York’s skyline, including the twin towers of the World Trade Center, and the Empire State Building.
Where in your world are you holding back your best efforts?
Where would taking those extra steps place you at a higher point to both see and pursue even greater personal and professional excellence?
Image from Unsplash by Mārtiņš Zemlickis
Striving for excellence is a powerful thing. It gives us all a sense of passion and purpose that is fundamental to living a happy, fulfilled life. There is, however, a dark side to the pursuit of excellence when we compare ourselves to others that have demonstrated superior skills and abilities.
In such cases, many of us don’t even bother suiting up and showing up to contribute our abilities and capacities for fear of looking bad and not keeping up.
Where and on what personal or professional issue is it time to summon the courage to show up and contribute your best, regardless of the outcome?
Do you strive for excellence, or accept average? Here are a few excellence-related posts you may have missed. Click on the link to read the full message.
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is a habit.”
“It’s what you learn after you know it all, that counts.”
“Do more of what makes you awesome.”