Category / Questions about Excellence

by Hopeless Romantic

The Process of Excellence

I have been focusing on Excellence for two months. It is exhilarating, but I’ve had many setbacks. Life also gets in the way of Excellence. Focusing on the process of Excellence takes cutting out all the noise to get to the core of its existence. The steps are simple, but the accomplishment is difficult.

The Plan

Excellence starts with a good plan. It doesn’t have to be great, but it needs to be well thought out and easily understood.

Discipline

You need discipline to stick to the plan and discipline to execute the plan. You need something that acts as a constant reminder to the plan. You need a symbol that helps you overcome the constant battle of discipline.

Execution

Then you execute the plan. This is not easy and without constant discipline then the plan is tossed out frequently. When your lack of discipline infiltrates your focus, you need the grit to get back to the plan as quickly as possible.

Flexibility to Revise the Plan

Once you are in the battle of the plan, you must stay flexible enough to change when the plan is not working. Too much rigidity prevents you from overcoming the lost battles of discipline.

These thoughts may seem simple, but I will be exploring these throughout the rest of this year. I would love your thoughts.

by Hopeless Romantic

I was Designed for Excellence!

CHAPTER 3

Everyone says they want Excellence but few will commit to attaining it! It’s elusive. You must want it bad. I believe we were designed for Excellence, but we often choose an easier less risky path.

It reminds me of a famous story.

A man once approached Socrates and asked the philosopher how he could acquire Excellence. He walked with the young man down to the sea. The man followed as Socrates began wading into the water until the water rose to their shoulders.

Without warning, Socrates grabbed the young man and pushed his head under the water. The man flailed desperately and just before he blacked-out, Socrates pulled him up. The man incensed screamed at Socrates, “Why are you trying to kill me?”

Socrates politely responded, “If that was my intention, I would not have let you up.”

“Then why did you do that?” exclaimed the man.

Socrates peered intensely into the man’s eyes, “When you desire Excellence as badly as you desire a breath of air, then you shall have it,” He turned and walked away.

How do I maintain the motivation all year long to achieve Excellence? How do I keep wanting Excellence as much as I want air?

If it’s true and we were designed for Excellence, then it’s just a matter of execution. I’ve decided to define what Excellence looks like in my life in the following categories:

  • Health
  • Financial
  • Spiritual
  • Relationships
  • Business/Career

This is where I’m going to start. I need your help in defining Excellence in these areas. If 2019 ended and I achieved Excellence in each of these five areas, what does that look like? What have I accomplished? Does Excellence mean I can’t get any better?

My problem is I have more questions than answers. Where is my help?

by Hopeless Romantic

How can I remain Motivated to seek Excellence for an entire Year???

CHAPTER 1

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.”  Aristotle

I wake up in sheer panic. I dreamt a horrible nightmare.  Men were trying to kill me and the woman I love betrayed me.  I remember her saying, “I’ve been using you this whole time.”  It’s silly, but I find myself slightly irritated with her even though she’s oblivious to the morning’s cruel ruse.  This is not how I wanted to start my first chapter.  I hope this is not foreshadowing on what’s to come.

I’m the only one awake, so the house is quiet.  It’s about 6:45 in the morning I’m excited. I’m motivated. WHY CAN’T I BOTTLE THIS FEELING!!! I’d be a billionaire. How do I keep this up day after day?

I read an article on Forbes online by Kristi Hedges, where she states, 

“Excellence starts with getting very clear on the end state you wish to achieve (winning) and relentlessly driving towards it every day. Excellence requires knowing when to push on (even when you don’t have all the information or the perfect solution), but doing it well and constantly refining as you forge ahead. Excellence means accepting only the best, and understanding that when it is not given that you, as the leader, are at least partly responsible. Excellence reveals itself in the language you use, the questions you ask, the people you surround yourself with, and how you interact with others.”


I found her words helpful.  This has inspired me. Today’s objective is to define what questions need to be answered this year to understand and achieve Excellence in my life. Here are my first thoughts…

  • How do I define Excellence in my life in the areas of my Health, my business, my relationships, my spiritual growth, my personal Growth, my finances, my leadership, my fun, my purpose and love (which I hate to even think about)?
  • How do I measure these areas, or do I?
  • Does every area I mentioned require measurement?
  • Did I miss any important areas?
  • Can I ever achieve Excellence, or is it fleeting as I must constantly strive for even more?
  • Can I have Excellence in all of these areas at once or is it just too much?
  • Do I persona.l.y have a fraction of the discipline I need to attempt this?

Anxiety creeps in my mind.  It’s already appearing more daunting than expected, and IT’S THE FIRST DAY! 

I need your help. Are these the right questions??? Am I on the right track? It’s all so confusing.