Rising to the Top

 

One of the many great qualities of a success-minded person is that they are the best of the best. Not that they are better than everyone else, but they hold excellence to a high standard and try their best. Historian Charles Kendall Adams put it this way, “No one ever attains very eminent success by simply doing what is required of him; it is the amount of excellence of what is over and above the required that determines greatness.”

Success-minded people know that they will never really be great at what they do if they only do what is required of them. At work, church, or in your personal life, if all you do is what is expected of you, then you cheat yourself and others of your best. A great job happens when you see what you have to do and ask yourself, “How can I do a bit more and make this an excellent job?”

“No matter the size of the bottle, the cream always rises to the top.”

Charles Wilson

1933-2010

Politician

 

People too often see a job as what they are paid to do. They are then surprised when their employer does not give them a raise or a promotion they are expecting. When you do only what you are paid to do, you do not bring extra value to the job. You see, they could always pay someone else and get the same job done.

Success-minded people know that it is the extra that gives them value. Their employer knows that this person will do a good job and more. They will not get the same high-quality work from someone else. The success-minded person will always get the raise or promotion because they have earned it. Never be fooled into thinking that longevity or dependability are reasons for you to get a raise or promotion. If you only do what is expected, you will get no more than what is expected. Author and speaker Zig Ziglar said, “If you do more than what you are paid for, eventually you will be paid for more than you do.”

As a success-minded person, you also understand that to do more than expected, to be excellent at what you do, makes you feel better as well. Pastor and Author Bill Hybels said, “Most people feel best about themselves when they have given their very best.” It is a fact, if you want to feel your best, do your best. There is great personal power and confidence in knowing that you are above the crowd. You may not be better than anyone else, but you know you can do better than anyone else.

“Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness,

through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.”

2 Peter 1:3

 

You can learn more about Personal Development from author and speaker, John Patrick Hickey. To get his books, training material, or book him to speak to your church, business, or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com.   

© 2020 John Patrick Hickey. No part of this may be reprinted or published without the permission of the author.