All my life, I've heard the same things over and over again.
Calm down. Mellow out. Eat your vegetables. Okay, maybe that
last one doesn't fit the trend but I can assure you, I've
heard just about every other variation on this theme that
there is. Apparently, I tend to make the cattle nervous. That's
fine by me, as I think cows are just a bit too laid back to
begin with. This probably has something to do with why they're
such a popular entrée.
Be that as it may, it's widely known among my friends that
I came factory equipped with a two speed motor: on and off.
Although some are willing to pay extra for the models with
all those nifty gears in between, to me they're just a waste
of time. My personal motto is quite simple. Anything worth
doing is worth doing to extremes.
Of course, this means that folks continually shake their heads
at my antics and wonder aloud if I'll ever grow up and learn
moderation. I'm guessing that the two are related, since pursuing
your goals with passion is, in many minds, the hallmark of
adolescence. If that's the case, then you can bet that I will
forever play my music too loud, drive too fast, and dive into
any endeavor I undertake with everything I've got.
I'm used to having people question my conviction that the
only way to burn is white hot. For some reason, many have
been brought up to believe that extremes are a bad thing and
that moderation is the key to life. Personally, I have no
clue as to what the meaning of life may be, but I do know
one thing. Excellence, by definition, is an extreme. And I
believe that excellence is, without a doubt, a good thing.
In fairness, being a creature of extremes is not entirely
without its risks. Hitting the wall at 100 miles an hour is
a bit more of an exciting event than making contact at 20,
and trust me, that's just not the sort of excitement that
most of us want. However, does this mean that we should never
go full throttle? Of course not. It simply indicates that
if you throw yourself heart, body and soul into your pursuits,
you'd darned well better know how to steer.
Another thing to keep in mind is that other people have feelings,
too, and they're just as important as yours are. When you
strive for excellence in a group environment, some will be
unhappy because they feel that you're making them look bad,
or perhaps are raising the bar and forcing them to perform
at a higher level of effort than they care to offer.
Does this mean that you must therefore lower your own standards?
Don't be silly. However, it does point out that you should
always be aware of the consequences of your actions, and wherever
possible approach your work in a manner that is considerate
of others. Although there are many ways to do this, start
by including them in the glory that your high standards will
naturally bring, even if they did little to help. It might
be just what they need to see the point of giving it their
best. Witnessing such a transformation in people can be a
rewarding experience.
Most of all, however, you need to realize that life will not
conveniently deliver the pot of gold to your door while you
sit on your posterior watching old reruns of I Love Lucy.
If you want something better, in any area of your life, you
have to give it your all. Learn to ignore those who would
cool your jets, and go for it anyway. Only when you shake
off the limitations in your own mind can you reach for the
stars. Remember, anything worth doing is worth doing to extremes.
Christopher Duncan is the best selling author of Unite
the Tribes and The Career Programmer. In addition to his seminars,
he's a popular speaker and frequent guest on radio shows across
the country. He's currently working to improve companies and
careers nationwide through his work with the Campaign for
American Excellence. To contact Christopher, visit http://www.PracticalStrategyConsulting.com
