Relentless Pursuit of Excellence
As my business journey led me to a mentor where his only request was to relentlessly pursue excellence, my first thought was that he wanted me to be perfect. In running his companies for him, I knew he wanted to be the best at everything (profits, customers, teammates). While building a relationship with him and understanding his mission of a “Relentless Pursuit of Excellence,” a revelation came upon me that he just wanted everyone to walk in every day and simply be better than we were yesterday. I became liberated mentally once I understood and was confident that I can do his mission.
He understood that if all of us were committed to being the very best that we could be and fight and claw to get better each and every day. The goals would take care of themselves.
NEWSFLASH - it worked! Be relentless in getting better and wins will follow. I promise you!
As Vince Lombardi said, “The spirit, the will to win, and the will to excel, these are the things that endure, and these are the qualities that are much more important than any of the events that occasion them.”
For us to connect to this Game-Changing MIndset, a “Relentless Pursuit of Excellence,” we must use these 3 tools daily:
- Focus
- Intention
- Consistency
1. Focus
What are you devoting your time and energy to? We must be conscious of what we are doing with our 86,400 seconds in a day if we are to be relentless. Everything we do must have a purpose to it that ties into our ultimate goal because whatever we focus on is what we will become. A leader is effective when they know the right things to do and devote their energies towards them. This is the surest way to eliminate distractions. When we focus on issues of genuine impact and eliminate peripheral noise, this will ensure that everyone will increase their focus to become better.
2. Intention
Are you intentional each day? Do you have a plan before you start each day? An intentional person has a narrow and defined focus, not to the point of rigidity, however. People with structured, purposeful, and intentional behavior will change the environment around them, sometimes immediately, at others over time. This person is resolute and clear-minded. They don’t let distractions knock them off course, and at the same time, they are able to make necessary adjustments as new information presents itself. When we are this intentional, everyone around us will feel our strength and discipline and in so doing will be determined to take action to move forward in all they do.
3. Consistency
Are you consistent in your behavior? Consistency creates stability. Consistency creates habits, and your habits will determine your future. As Flannery O'Connor wrote, “Routines are the conditions of sanity.” Great leaders strive to create productive routines and courageously do what they say they are going to do. Then the leader must produce systems that replicate, processes that initiate, and attention to people that liberates. All of these are examples of consistency brought to bear in an organization. With consistency, you and your team will find yourselves on solid ground. Consistency will build trust in leadership, allowing everyone to sustain their pursuit of excellence.
Winning Edge calls this our daily grind! When we employ these 3 tools on a daily basis, we and everyone around us will have the energy to take another step.
Do you see yourself as being relentless? What would those around you say? Do you think being relentless would benefit you and your team?
Love to hear your success stories on how being focused, being intentional, and consistent has changed the trajectory of your life, family, or organization.
