Our personal integrity is never a result of accidental choices. When our integrity gets tested, we know it. If we choose something that would lack integrity, it is an active choice and not an accident. We don’t trip and fall into situations that cause us to undermine our integrity. Our choices always bring us to the brink
Belief is something that is much more important than most people think. We all say what we want other people to think that we believe but our actions demonstrate our actual level of belief. Sometimes, it turns out we only liked the sound of believing in something. The truth is exposed when we are tested on those
Great teammates are committed to the purpose and cause the team fights for. This is why they are willing to endure less than ideal circumstances to see something through. Ordinary teammates are only “committed” when things are as they are supposed to be. Commitment is not tested until circumstances become more challenging than expected. It sounds good
It’s always important to look at the efficiency of our actions. Time is a limited resource. In some ways, it’s the most limited resource because everyone gets the same amount of time in a day. Our actions must be focused on the best use of that time. This is easier said than done because inexperienced teammates may
There are some things that should not be compromised. Values and virtues separate us from the animals. However, there are things that we make into values and virtues that get treated like they are strong convictions but really amount to nothing more than cultural preferences. Favorite colors, fashion, when you wake up in the morning, favorite foods,
Winning is inconvenient. It often requires more than we signed up for because of the learning curve and unfamiliar practices required to successfully meet any challenge. Those who are willing to win are also saying they are willing to do more than punch the clock. They stay late and areive early. BThey say no to good things
Everyone wants to win, but not everyone is willing to endure the discomfort that winning demands. In order to outlast an opponent a winner must lean into the unfamiliar practices that stretch them. Most people don’t win because they fear wading into new waters. The discomfort is similar to the fear some people have of scary movies.
Excellence is not about the one time pleasant surprise. It’s about the expected standard being met over and over again and then eventually exceeded. Excellence is about the trajectory of a standard. Are things in a position to continue to improve? Too often a perfectionist will demand cosmetic adjustments to appear to meet a standard once, but
Progress feels good because momentum feels good. When we start a journey we are often motivated to reach the goal. If the journey takes longer than expected we are in danger of becoming bored with the journey. When we get bored, our motivation decreases and then our discipline is likely to lapse. Without discipline our decision making
I learned a long time ago that if every day was a cheat day then I am not really on a diet. Compromise has a way of lying to us about the ramifications of our decisions. Celebrating with a cheat meal is ok but finding reasons to celebrate with a cheat meal too often isn’t. I want