Be a yardstick of quality. Some
people aren't used to an environment where excellence is expected. – Steve Jobs
While you
may be familiar with the many inventions of Thomas Edison which include the
incandescent light bulb and the microphone, but there is a back story to one
invention that is of great significance.
It was
December 1914 and Edison had been working ten years on a storage battery. One
night fire tore through his lab. Fire companies from eight surrounding towns
arrived in an attempt to douse the flames, but the heat was too intense and the
water pressure was too low. Everything was lost.
In the midst
of the rubbles the next day Edison is reported to have said, “There is great
value in disaster. All of our mistakes are burned up. Thank God we can start
anew.” Amazingly enough, three weeks after that devastating fire, Edison
delivered the first phonograph. His attitude and determination coupled with his
commitment to excellence is why we hold him such high regard today.
We hear a
lot of about excellence and the need for it. Theoretically we understand its
importance and the need to set a high standard of quality in our work and in
our expectations. While this is admirable we will never achieve excellence
until we denounce the toxic attitudes and beliefs that prevent us from
achieving it. Here are four of the most common excuses that stand between you
and excellence. Conquer these and you can fast track yourself to a path of
excellence.
Past failures. The road to success will be paved with
failures and mistakes. But they don’t have to be fatal. Consider President
Abraham Lincoln. He first went into politics at the age of 23 when he ran for a
seat in the Illinois General Assembly. He lost. Afterwards he opened a general
store. It failed. But we all know how he has taken his place in history and he
is considered by many to be one of our greatest presidents.
Dale
Carnegie said, “Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are
two of the surest stepping stones to success.” Do not allow your past failures
to define you or your future. It’s when you shake off past failures, learn from
your mistakes, and commit to excellence you can achieve it. Let go of the past
and move on.
Past rejections. Achieving excellence will require a
certain level of fortitude as you learn from the past. But rejections sting
because it’s personal. Consider Walt Disney. He was fired by the editor of a
newspaper for lacking ideas. He could have sulked in self-pity and given up on
achieving anything of significance. But Disney persevered and millions of
people the world over have been enjoying the magic ever since.
Albert
Einstein said, “Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from
mediocre minds.” Don’t be discouraged when you face opposition or when you
experience rejection. It is all a part of the growing process on your journey
to excellence. Don’t give up!
Lack of education. Your lack of education is not a disqualifier
for achieving excellence. Steven Spielberg dropped out of high school and
applied to attend film school three times but was unsuccessful due to his C
grade average. He could have taken that rejection along with his C grade
average and given up. Because he didn’t give up we have enjoyed many great
films such as Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan, Jaws, Lincoln, E.T. and Indiana
Jones to name just a few.
John Wooden
said, “Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” You may
not have been the brightest student, your grades may not be a reflection of
your potential or passion, but with the right attitude and determination there
is nothing you can’t achieve if you choose an attitude of excellence.
Physical limitations. Harry S. Truman was rejected by the
U.S. Military and Naval Academies due to his poor eyesight. At one point he was
a clerk in a newspaper mailroom, and worked as an usher in a movie theatre.
Yet, he did not allow his poor eyesight to keep him from achieving excellence as
he later became President. His inspiring story is but one of countless others
who have also experienced some type of physical limitation on the way to
success.
Les Brown
said, “Life has no limitations, except the ones you make.” It’s as you embrace
this attitude that you will know, live, and enjoy a life of excellence. There
is no limitation, physical or otherwise, that can keep you down but by your own
choice. Shed the negative, embrace the positive, live with excellence.
© 2013 Doug
Dickerson
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