I’ve been reading The Essentials of Excellence by Bishop Dale C. Bronner, the Chairman of the CMN Ministry Board. It is one of the most motivating books I’ve read in some time.
My copy is already filled with notes and coffee stains. I’ve read and re-read sections to get them in my spirit. This is one of those sections.
“People with a spirit of excellence exercise initiative. They are proactive rather than reactive. For example, if they see something that needs to be done, they begin working on it. Anybody can identify a problem, but individuals of excellence don’t just identify the problem—they also offer a solution.
When you take time to think of solutions, it not only helps the situation at hand, but it also sharpens your problem-solving abilities.
So, don’t delay—initiate. Don’t wait for your ship to come in. Instead, swim out to it! Think and plan, but also begin to move toward your goals. Keep in mind that little steps in the formative and foundational stages can make a major difference in the long run.
"TAKE OWNERSHIP OF YOUR JOURNEY
"Excellence also requires accountability. You are the architect of your life, and only you can decide how high to build. Taking ownership of your journey means accepting responsibility for your choices and recognizing that your effort and attitude determine your outcomes.
"People who actively pursue excellence know how to differentiate between zones of concern—what they tend to worry over or be apprehensive about—and zones of control, which they can take ownership of. And they keep their focus on their zone of control.
"Your zone of concern includes aspects you have no control over, including your family background, your physical features, and other hereditary factors; the attitudes, emotions, or behavior of other people; the weather; how congested the traffic is on a given day; or the threat of war.
"Your zone of control includes your thoughts and your will. You can change or adjust your attitudes, your emotions, your imagination, your words, and your actions in line with your purpose. Taking ownership will empower you to turn obstacles into stepping stones and failures into opportunities.”
Grace and Peace,
Paul Louis Cole
