“Hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anybody expects of you. Never excuse yourself.” ~ Henry Ward Beecher
The life lesson at our house this week was on responsibility and commitment. This week it was Andrew’s turn for a life lesson. He doesn’t enjoy football and is quite content to not put forth much effort. Unfortunately for him that really isn’t how it works in our house. If you are part of a team, you have made a commitment to the team, and you need to participate to the best of your ability. Well, on Sunday at the game he decided he was “sick” so that he didn’t have to play. So we had a discussion about the consequences for our actions and the responsibility to our commitments. We outlined the clear expectations for putting forth effort in all things whether it is football, band, or school. Skating by and only half trying will never be acceptable in our household. Unfortunately for him, we know what he is capable of, and we won’t be settling but will expect his best in all things.
We talk a lot about responsibility and expectations at work. Sometimes it seems unclear what the expectations are or how they will change next. Our only constant in healthcare is that things are always changing. The best rule of thumb that we can live by is to do our best and give our all every day. If we truly all did this, it wouldn’t matter if we win or lose because we would know without question that we did our very best. My challenge for you this week is to pick one thing in your life and truly give it your all. It could be something to do with work, your family, or your faith. You decide, but throw yourself completely at it and give it your best. You may be amazed at what you can accomplish when you truly try, and the world will be a better place for your effort.
“Remember, you and you alone are responsible for maintaining your energy. Give up blaming, complaining and excuse making, and keep taking action in the direction of your goals - however mundane or lofty they may be.” ~ Jack Canfield
