Pursuing Excellence
“I will walk with integrity of heart…”
--A song from an ancient seeker
Friday: “The difference between the possible and the impossible lies in a person’s determination.” --Tommy Lasorda
I believe Tommy Lasorda understands a major component in the pursuit of excellence. In all of life, a primary question is, “How am I, can I, will I accomplish this task?” A determined attitude, an internal spirit that says, “I will until…” a focus on dividing the awesome task into small parts is how tasks are accomplished. If the task is “eat an elephant.” then you start by taking one bite at a time. Meditate on the Los Angeles Dodger manager’s quote today. Think about how determined you are to work on the task from this song that Florence Price introduced in the early 70’s.
“Someday a bright new wave will break upon the shore
And there will be no sickness, no more sorrow, no more war,
And little children never will go hungry anymore,
For there’ll be a bright new morning over there,
There’ll be a bright new world for us to share.
“Someday there’ll be an end to unkind words and cruel,
The one who said there is no God will know they’ve been a fool,
And peace will be a way of life with love the only rule
For there’ll be a bright new morning over there,
There’ll be a bright new world for us to share.”
So the question comes to us again. If we are going to pursue excellence and we really do believe it is attainable, then how determined are you, are we to be the people in this world who tackle the challenge created in the lyrics of the song above? “Blessed are the peacemakers,” we are told. How determined are you?
Have a very good weekend!
--Ben Keckler
11.04.11
Showing posts with label Pursuing excellence. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pursuing excellence. Show all posts
Friday, November 4, 2011
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Daily Devotion - Thursday, November 3
Pursuing Excellence
“I will walk with integrity of heart…”
--A song from an ancient seeker
Thursday: “It’s a funny thing about life; if you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it.”
--W. Somerset Maugham
W. Somerset Maugham, French born author and playwright, studied to be a physician. His experiences while completing an internship in the slums of London prompted him to write a novel. Several plays and an additional book or two followed his novel. He enjoyed travel and wrote many short stories that reflected his love of exotic locales. He became known as the master of the short story.
What are the standards of performance that you have established for your work? Do you have a working definition of what “the best” is for you? How do you hold yourself accountable for performance? These questions are worthy of consideration; when you only expect the best from yourself, you will not be disappointed.
--Ben Keckler
11.03.11
“I will walk with integrity of heart…”
--A song from an ancient seeker
Thursday: “It’s a funny thing about life; if you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it.”
--W. Somerset Maugham
W. Somerset Maugham, French born author and playwright, studied to be a physician. His experiences while completing an internship in the slums of London prompted him to write a novel. Several plays and an additional book or two followed his novel. He enjoyed travel and wrote many short stories that reflected his love of exotic locales. He became known as the master of the short story.
What are the standards of performance that you have established for your work? Do you have a working definition of what “the best” is for you? How do you hold yourself accountable for performance? These questions are worthy of consideration; when you only expect the best from yourself, you will not be disappointed.
--Ben Keckler
11.03.11
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Daily Devotion - Wednesday, November 2
Pursuing Excellence
“I will walk with integrity of heart…”
--A song from an ancient seeker
Wednesday: “Excellence is to do a common thing in an uncommon way.” --Booker T. Washington
Booker Taliaferro Washington, born a slave and deprived of education in his childhood, became America’s foremost black educator in the early part of the last century. His nickname was “The Great Accommodator”. This characteristic, while not highly acclaimed, is a real gift. To accommodate another is to make them comfortable in new surroundings, to make them feel at home while away from their home.
The task of providing healthcare (my field of work) means accommodating people in surroundings that are not their own. This is the work of all healthcare providers. It is a task shared with hundreds of other caregiving institutions. The challenge in my workplace is for our team to do our work in an uncommon way, to hold before one another the value of excellence. It is a task that should motivate us. We talk frequently about “compassionate care.”
Viewing this challenge in the midst of all the talk about health care reform, it would be good for each of us to become better listeners to the “voice” that stirs in our souls. What uncommon way can you perform your tasks? When we feel that inner nudge to extend our compassion in an uncommon way, then we are moving toward excellence. When we deliver our nudge, we move closer to excellence. Maybe there is something to being an accommodator.
--Ben Keckler
11.02.11
“I will walk with integrity of heart…”
--A song from an ancient seeker
Wednesday: “Excellence is to do a common thing in an uncommon way.” --Booker T. Washington
Booker Taliaferro Washington, born a slave and deprived of education in his childhood, became America’s foremost black educator in the early part of the last century. His nickname was “The Great Accommodator”. This characteristic, while not highly acclaimed, is a real gift. To accommodate another is to make them comfortable in new surroundings, to make them feel at home while away from their home.
The task of providing healthcare (my field of work) means accommodating people in surroundings that are not their own. This is the work of all healthcare providers. It is a task shared with hundreds of other caregiving institutions. The challenge in my workplace is for our team to do our work in an uncommon way, to hold before one another the value of excellence. It is a task that should motivate us. We talk frequently about “compassionate care.”
Viewing this challenge in the midst of all the talk about health care reform, it would be good for each of us to become better listeners to the “voice” that stirs in our souls. What uncommon way can you perform your tasks? When we feel that inner nudge to extend our compassion in an uncommon way, then we are moving toward excellence. When we deliver our nudge, we move closer to excellence. Maybe there is something to being an accommodator.
--Ben Keckler
11.02.11
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Daily Devotion - Tuesday, November 1
Pursuing Excellence
“I will walk with integrity of heart…”
--A song from an ancient seeker
Tuesday: “The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.” --Vince Lombardi
Given the present economic realities in our global culture, I believe that it is critically important to focus on the pursuit of excellence. For a variety of reasons, the world is becoming more integrated and it feels that there is constant call for change. This reality provides an opportunity for me. In my vocation I MUST commit myself to consistent listening to patients, families and fellow associates. It is a time for me to commit to higher personal standards, not because I will have an annual evaluation but because I care about being authentic. It is a time for me to commit to pursuing a new level of excellence.
How are you pursuing excellence in the work you provide? Coach Lombardi says it well. It is probably time for self-assessment. Am I, are you, are we committed to excellence? Have a good week.
--Ben Keckler
11.01.11
“I will walk with integrity of heart…”
--A song from an ancient seeker
Tuesday: “The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.” --Vince Lombardi
Given the present economic realities in our global culture, I believe that it is critically important to focus on the pursuit of excellence. For a variety of reasons, the world is becoming more integrated and it feels that there is constant call for change. This reality provides an opportunity for me. In my vocation I MUST commit myself to consistent listening to patients, families and fellow associates. It is a time for me to commit to higher personal standards, not because I will have an annual evaluation but because I care about being authentic. It is a time for me to commit to pursuing a new level of excellence.
How are you pursuing excellence in the work you provide? Coach Lombardi says it well. It is probably time for self-assessment. Am I, are you, are we committed to excellence? Have a good week.
--Ben Keckler
11.01.11
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