Strive for Excellence in 2014

"If you don't have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?" ~John Wooden

Happy New Year!  As we begin a year of new opportunities, I would like to share a thought with you. 

 

We all have the same amount of time in each day.  But some people seem to achieve more than others in the same 24 hours.  In today’s society, we are constantly moving, changing, and pursuing something new.  We are multi-tasking like never before thanks to technology.  But is more always better?  Sometimes when we focus on producing large quantities, we forget to ensure that each unit produced is of good quality.  Because of this, I believe that quality is more important in most cases than quantity.  My resolution for 2014 is to live a year of quality.  Quality actually will help you save time in the long run.  John Wooden put it best when he stated: "If you don't have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?"  Living a life of quality is a very important part of effective time management.  Anyone can rush through a semester and write three average papers.  It takes someone committed to excellence to perform at a higher level.

 

Note for Future Leaders: John Maxwell states that leadership is "influence".  Leaders have the power to shape and transform their followers.  Leaders must set the example.  If you want your organization or individual followers to produce excellent work, then you must set the example by making a commitment to quality in your own life.

 

A recent article in the News & Observer described an example of a government organization focusing on quantity over quality and the negative results that can be produced.  Recently the North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services accidentally mailed the Medicaid information for 50,000 children in North Carolina to the wrong addresses.  That’s a lot of letters!  While the employees of DHHS worked to produce a product, quantity was definitely met but the quality was overlooked which made their work ineffective.  Now they have to take time to mail 50,000 letters once again to the correct addresses.  This reduces efficiency.

 

In 2014, I encourage you to take time to produce quality work.  Excellence is achieved one day at a time.  Whether I am writing a research paper or giving a presentation, I am committed to doing my best the very first time.  If you focus on quality in 2014, I know I will see you on the highway to success!