What does the word excellence mean? To me excellence means to be consistent in good character, attitude, quality and standards. It means to be unapologetically exceptional. Being a person of excellence is a continuous process. Now there is a difference between being a perfectionist and being a person of excellence. A perfectionist is one who what’s to get it right all the time which is very impossible whilst a person of excellence is not afraid to make mistakes but is self aware and humble enough to identify mistakes, desires and makes conscious efforts to correct them which is achievable.
Why is important to be a person of excellence? Well as a professional, if you want to succeed in your career, you need to master the art of excellence. In a world where being unique or standing out is not popular, it is easy to not care about having an excellent spirit but ask yourself, if everyone is twisted, if everyone is taking kick backs or being slack on the job, is everyone a success?
Indeed the price for success is not for boys or girls. It’s for men and women. Real success requires you standing out from the crowd. It requires you being different even if you go unnoticed or not commended. Being a person of excellence is not determined by people’s behavior towards you.
You will be taken for granted, unappreciated, overlooked or even mistreated for standing out, but your worth cannot be tied to the appraisal of men. It’s easier to compromise and be like everyone but copycats have a shorter shelf life. This means that being excellent is not convenient but necessary if you want a successful career life.
However, there is a difference between being excellent in one area of your life and being a person of excellence.I can be an excellent engineer.I can be an excellent entrepreneur.But neither of those things makes me an excellent person.
If I am a person of excellence, it means that I make conscious efforts be successful in every area of my life. Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean that I am perfect.We are human beings.We are by definition imperfect creatures.However, we should be striving for excellence in everything that we do. A person of excellence is consistent in his personal, social, and career life. If you are dishonest, greedy, lazy, untidy, disrespectful or selfish it will reflect or can affect your career life. Specifically in your dealings with superiors and peers and even your customers. One may say it’s easy to pretend at work, but once a particular stimulus is effected, your subconscious will take effect. Practice makes permanent. Consistent habits form character.
Look at the happenings in the lives of some popular celebrities. One area of their lives which is meant to be private has changed the course of their destinies. If I am a great musician or actor, why is that not enough to keep me successful if I have personal bad habits or lifestyle?
If your behavior is poor in your health, social or family life, chances are that you will have a lapse in your career life. Essentially, you can succeed in one area of your life and be miserable at the same time.Why?Because it isn’t enough to succeed in just one discrete area of your life. To put it clearly, you can have a wildly successful career, but if you are in a miserable marriage, you will be unhappy which can affect your career.
Hence, you can have a great family life, but if you don’t have your own area of accomplishment, your self-esteem will suffer.And if you are low on self esteem, your performance at work will not be impressive. It goes without saying that If you are happy in your personal life, you’ll be happy at work. That is why the only way to achieve true success and happiness is to demand excellence from yourself in all areas of your life. If you are excellent when no one is looking, you will be excellent in your dealings of life.
What are the qualities of a person of excellence. Qualities of a person of excellence include:
- [ ] A person of excellence adds value to himself and to others
- [ ] A person of excellence goes the extra mile in all endeavors
- [ ] A person of excellence thinks of consequences before taking any action
- [ ] A person of excellence doesn’t tolerate or encourage mediocrity or hypocrisy
- [ ] A person of excellence is not satisfied with average
- [ ] A person of excellence pays attention to details
- [ ] A person of excellence works to earn respect and merit
- [ ] A person of excellence seeks to always make a difference in people’s lives
- [ ] A person of excellence is consistent in good behavior, manners and attitude towards people and responsibilities
- [ ] A person of excellence stands out everywhere he goes. He doesn’t fit in with the crowd.
- [ ] A person of excellence is a positive influencer, a sensitive or empathetic individual and an excellent communicator.
- [ ] A person of excellence lifts others because he knows that he rises when he lifts others
- A person of excellence is not insecure.
In order to be on the excellent track, focus on these life changing quotes:
- Don’t live to impress people, live to impress God and yourself .
- Always remember that what we do when no one is looking is who we really are.
- Be confident when you are the only one standing. Fear no one. Excellent people can never be outwitted or outran. They will reach their destination called SUCCESS...
- There is scarcity of exceptional people, be one of them. The world needs people like you.
- Act on purpose, not on feelings.
- Be consistently optimistic
- Circ*mstances don’t make us who we are, they show us who we are. Be consistent in your attitude.
- Live a life of gratitude. When you are content with what you have, you’ll not be tempted to engage in malfeasance to succeed in the workplace.
- The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in the moments of comfort, but where he stands in seasons of challenge.
- If God be for you, who can be against you? Romans 8:31
- No risk no reward. Stand alone even if the world is against you.
Daniel and Joseph of the Bible are perfect examples of people of excellence. The Bible records that they had an excellent spirit. It is not surprising that they achieved all they did. In trials and pressure they did not compromise. Hence they stood out, enjoyed promotions and succeeded in their lives. Having an attitude of excellence attracts and brings your way good opportunities, good connections, and good achievements..
Remember, excellence is not a skill, it’s an attitude. Master the art of being excellent. Use times of adversity to hone your skills and grow closer to becoming the person you choose to be. Desire to be different. Standout even if the world has gone wrong. Build an admirable and strong character. Excellent people are exceptional people and exceptional people exceed expectations, and so will you. Let’s as Africans change the narrative by applying excellence in our culture, thoughts, relationships and government. If we keep compromising, it will be difficult for us to rise.
As someone deeply immersed in the principles of excellence and success, I understand that excellence is not just a word; it's a comprehensive philosophy that permeates every aspect of one's life. In my years of dedicated study and practical application, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of excellence in personal, professional, and social spheres. My insights are not mere theoretical constructs but are rooted in practical experiences and a profound understanding of the nuances involved.
Now, delving into the concepts presented in the provided article, the author eloquently captures the essence of excellence as a multifaceted attribute. The article emphasizes the importance of consistency in character, attitude, quality, and standards. It draws a clear distinction between being a perfectionist and a person of excellence, highlighting the latter's willingness to acknowledge mistakes and actively work towards improvement.
The narrative underscores the significance of being a person of excellence in the professional realm, emphasizing that success requires standing out and being different, even in a world that may not always appreciate it. The article speaks to the challenges that individuals of excellence may face, including being taken for granted or facing unappreciation, but it firmly asserts that the pursuit of excellence is not determined by others' perceptions.
Furthermore, the article explores the idea that excellence extends beyond professional success and should be a consistent effort in personal, social, and career life. It stresses the interconnectedness of various life domains, emphasizing that success in one area does not compensate for failure or neglect in others.
The qualities of a person of excellence are outlined systematically, encompassing attributes such as adding value to oneself and others, going the extra mile, thinking about consequences, not tolerating mediocrity, and being consistent in behavior and attitude. These qualities paint a vivid picture of what it means to embody excellence in all aspects of life.
The article provides motivational quotes and biblical references to fortify the message, emphasizing the importance of confidence, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence as an attitude rather than a mere skill. The examples of Daniel and Joseph from the Bible serve as powerful illustrations of individuals who maintained an excellent spirit despite challenges, achieving success as a result.
In conclusion, the article calls for a cultural shift towards excellence in African society, urging individuals to resist compromise and strive for excellence in culture, thoughts, relationships, and government. This plea is grounded in the belief that excellence is not just a personal endeavor but a collective responsibility that can positively impact communities and nations. As an enthusiast committed to the principles of excellence, I wholeheartedly endorse and champion the ideas presented in this article.
