Achieving Excellence Part ll

So, you've made your decision.
The next step--get to work!

Hone your Craft One of the biggest mistakes people make is underestimating what it takes to be successful. In our microwave, drive-thru, express-lane society, we all want it now. People honor and idolize what is visible--success, but they have difficulty conceiving all of the work that goes into achieving it.
If you have a love for something and you know it is your destiny, learn all that you can about it. Read all that you can about it. Talk to and LISTEN to experts in the field.
When I started my own company I had NO idea what I was getting into. I had been successful in the rat race and that success came very easily, but, I made the big mistake of assuming my success would transfer to everything else I did--by osmosis or something! Working for someone was completely different from owning a company. I wasn't prepared. I lacked knowledge and self-discipline. The worse thing was--I didn't know what I didn't know.
While your success is greatly contingent upon your actions, it doesn't necessarily mean you can get by with what you've been gifted with. Educate yourself. Apply what you learn. Evaluate your performance and make it better.
Excellence requires a very high price. That price must always be paid--and always paid in advance!!

Be Relentless Believe it or not, there are forces out there that want to keep you from being your best. Every decision we ever make is a choice between life and death. Some of the same choices can mean life or death, depending on the circumstance. For example, in the middle of getting an important task completed something may tell you you need to take a nap. Do you really need a nap? You may or may not. A nap at that time could keep you from productivity or it could help you to be more productive later. It's up to you to figure out if the decision is moving you closer to your goal or further away.
When you get down to work, things will happen to distract you, intimidate you, infuriate you or just plain deter you from your goal. Not necessarily bad things. Just things. Don't let them!
Keep your goals in front of you. Literally. Write them down and put them in your bathroom, on mirrors, on the refrigerator, in your car, in your purse--everywhere. The plan for your life is so important that you were CREATED for it.
If you know that you know that you know that this is what you're supposed to be doing, NEVER GIVE UP.

Take it to the Edge The Truth: There is nothing new under the sun. People are sheep. No one thinks. How else can you explain the proliferation of "reality" tv shows, mediocre recycled "music" and the endless, mindless activities that do nothing to improve society.
I hate boring stuff! Don't settle for that! There may be nothing new, but everything can become new. How?
You!
Be true to yourself. Show us what you're working with. You, and only you, have your own unique perspective of life. Everyone does. Don't be afraid--give us something to think about. Nobody wants a tired, been there-done that, generic version of ANYTHING! Explode the box! Trust that the Creator was right when He made you. It is a privilege and an honor to be able to carry out what you are purposed for. Let your heart sing and people will love you for it.

The dream is free. It's the journey you're gonna pay for. John Maxwell

Excellence costs. Pay that price! Be the one that brings people to tears. Be the one to make people LOL! Be the one that makes them go "hmmmm???".
Make it interesting. Make it fun. And, most of all, make it worth it!