If
you don't already have one, you need to put on your shoes and head to
your nearest bulk-supply superstore RIGHT NOW. Because if you want
the respect of your peers, your subordinates, your children and/or
those in any position of authority you will be in desperate need of
this. I'm talking about a spirit of excellence. The notion that if
you're going to bother to do something (anything) you always do it
with the intention of receiving an A+, even when there is no grade at
stake. And get your head out of your hineys; this goes far beyond a
day job or whatever it is you do to earn money. If that's the only
place you're applying your A+ attitude, shame on you. You're a fake
and that's not enough. Harsh words? My apologies, but I'll tell you
why.
If
you're only interested in pleasing or “impressing” your
boss/earning a dollar you're so missing the boat that it's not even
funny. That's work you're getting paid to do. I would hope you'd
give your all and devote every ounce of mental energy when
appropriate. But does that have to be the only person that you're
“showing off” for? Because that's what it looks like to me. You
treat your romantic partner any kind of way, and half-a$$ it around
the house all day. Why don't they deserve your best as well? Yeah,
you got her flowers, but they're not even the ones she likes – the
ones she's told you over and over again that are her favorites. Ok
you washed his clothes. But thanks to you're fine work the entire
load looks like it was dipped in Pepto-Bismol because you didn't make
the extra effort to separate the whites and the colors. Of course
everyone gets brownie points for making an effort, but why stop
there? If you're intent is to put a smile on someone's face, why not
go the extra mile to make sure they're grinning from ear to ear?
And
what about your children? I mean, come on – what kind of example
are you setting for them? You have to remember: they can't see you
at the office. They have no clue what's really going on in your
world from 9-5, but they see the mess you leave around the house.
They see the clothing you leave strewn about, the items you're always
misplacing, the refrigerator that hasn't been cleaned in ages, the
grass that hasn't been cut since who knows when, the bills that don't
get paid on time...they see all of that, and is that really the
example that you want to set for your children? How on earth can you
rightly tell them to put their best foot forward at school when you,
in their opinion, can't get a handle on your own life. And you may
swear up and down that I don't know what I'm talking about, or that
kids don't think like that. You can swear all you want, but you'll
still be wrong. Children see EVERYTHING. They hear EVERYTHING. And
everything that they witness serves as their examples: from you,
their peers, television... So be careful and take it seriously,
because when you're scratching your head trying to figure out why
your child is behaving the way they are, you really needn't look
much farther than yourself.
But
enough of that. Moving on...your children aren't the only ones
watching everything you're doing. You're friends and associates have
got their eyes on you as well. Think they don't?? Think again.
When you're constantly operating with a spirit of excellence you're
peers can't get enough of you. It's like popularity serum.
Whether they can fix their lips to say it or not, they are always
impressed with you because you always deliver, and you do it in a way
they wished they could. You, without even knowing it, have become
their example, their measuring stick. And isn't that about the
highest compliment one person can give another? To know that you
operate in such a way that your friends aspire to be like you?
That's kind of amazing if you think about it.
And
if you're still not quite getting it, let me spell a few things out
for you. Spirit of Excellence. I think I heard it said once that,
“Personality is who you are in front of others. Integrity is who
you are when no one's looking.” And THAT'S what I'm talking about.
I'm talking about that razor-sharp integrity. I'm talking about
behaving as if someone is always watching, because, in truth, someone
always is. I'm talking about not littering, returning your grocery
cart to it's rightful place as opposed to haphazardly leaving it in
the parking lot. I'm talking about returning things in the condition
they were given to you when you've borrowed something – well for
some, let's just start with returning the item(s). I'm talking about
giving your friend gas money when they've given you a ride. I'm
talking about taking pride in your appearance, and it's got nothing
to do with the names on the tags. Neat, clean, presentable, and
odor-free have no name brand. I'm talking about knowing how to
listen and not having to always be the one shouting your point of
view. I'm talking about letting important people in your life know
they're special to you.
All
of these things are intangibles that go such a long way. And though
they may not come easy to you at first, they soon will with
repetition, because the results speak loud and clear for themselves.
It's the small touches and the little extras that will make you stand
out. Before long everyone and their mother will be calling on you to
assist them with this or that project. Because they know and you've
proven that when you get involved you don't stop until you've
produced the best. I call it your A+ attitude, and I'm asking you to
take it with you everywhere you go.
My
name is Jasmynne Shaye, and this is me STEPPING ON A FEW TOES.
photo credit: http://www.tcschools.org/images/Report%20Card%20Clipart.jpg
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