“Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.”

Every now and then we need a reminder to do our best and up our game.  Sometimes that reminder will come from that motivation within ourselves to reach further, push harder, go faster…but for most of us we need an external influence to make that happen. This is partially what a Board of Directors can do and certainly what a boss is there to do.  But, the best motivator is our competition.  If we are honest with ourselves and we look at what they are doing with appreciation and a spirit of learning then we will see things that we can do better and where to improve or sometimes even shift and pivot to a new direction.  Ignoring competition or looking down our noses at them is only being short-sighted.  The great thing about most industries is that there is room for a couple of big players and then a number of smaller companies.  The same can be said about the room and number of people on a team. Together the tide can rise if we come together to make it better for everyone.  Think of the Dairy Association and their campaign, “Got Milk?”.  By working together, doing well collectively and individually, the entire industry gets better. Whatever it takes to do what we have to do as well as we can, we need to be open to that exploration so we don’t get left behind.

It’s clear that God has given us talent and time to use and spend.  How we do so will determine our impact on others and how we expand the Kingdom, or not.  We have to start though with doing well with what we have been given.  I try not to judge others, but I can’t help in being disappointed in believers who pull up short in searching for excellence and to be the best at what they do.  It hurts to watch their talents not get used and to see others view them as not willing to give their all. The world we have been born into is one where we all have to work, work hard, and learn to be good at what we do if we want to grow, develop and succeed. Let’s not hide behind any reasons that keep us from reaching our full potential.  We don’t know when, where, or how God wants to use us, but as we are taught, we need to be ready to multiply our talents and to every day, all day put these to work for the glory of God.  Anything short of doing well is not taking advantage of what we have been given,.

Reference: Ecclesiates 9:10 (New Living Translation)