What is Excellence?

“If you want to achieve excellence, you can get there today. As of this second, quit doing less-than-excellent work.”

― Thomas Jefferson 

Do you accept "good enough" from others, as well as yourself? Do you believe that no one's going to know better; or no one even has any idea of what you're talking about? Stop it. Strive for excellence in all you do.  Here's why. 

Excellence is akin to honor.  If you give your word that you will appear at 5 pm, don't show up at 5:03 and shrug your shoulders as if it really didn't matter.  If you promised to keep a secret, don't then tell your spouse about it, thinking that it doesn't really count.  If you made a commitment to meet your friend each morning at 6 a.m. for a 2-mile walk, don't cancel because you just don't feel like going, or want to get more sleep. 

Excellence is a commitment.  A commitment to your best.  Not your almost-best, but your best.  Your best effort.  Your utmost; your all.  It means giving 100% to the task.  What such commitment says about you is that you can be counted on.  Your best - your own excellence - is unimpeachable.  It is true and strong and reliable. 

Give your word.  Be excellent.