ExcellenceIn our international media training conferences, we often talk about leadership and excellence. For today, the topic deals with excellence and with life, taken from a little book by Derric Johnson. My hope is that something here will help you as you lead others and strive for excellence.

The late Dr. D. James Kennedy used to say, “Excellence in all things, and all things to God’s glory.” It is a great philosophy.

No matter what accomplishments you make…somebody helps you. –Althea Gibson

Man’s mind once stretched by a new idea…never regains its original dimension. –Oliver Wendell Holmes

To see things in a seed…that is vision.

High expectations are the key to everything. –Sam Walton

The man on top of the mountain didn’t fall there.

One of the greatest enemies that we can ever face in life…is the illusion that there will be more time tomorrow than there is today.

To understand the mind of a person, look at what he has already achieved. To understand the heart of a person, look at what he aspires yet to do.

I don’t know what your destiny will be…but one thing I know…the only ones among you who will be really happy…are those who will have sought and found how to serve. –Dr. Albert Schweitzer

Success can be another form of failure…if we forget what our priorities are.

Excellence can be attained if you…risk more than others think is safe, care more than others think is wise, dream more than others think is practical, expect more than others think is possible.

People often ask me if I know the secret of success and if I could tell others how to make their dreams come true. My answer is…you do it by working. –Walt Disney

Don’t be afraid to take a big step if one is indicated…you can’t cross a chasm in two small jumps.

Never confuse motion with action…and never confuse action with accomplishment.

There is a big difference between nearly right and exactly right.

Efficiency is doing things right. Effectiveness is doing right things. Excellence is doing right things right.

And from God’s Word:

[blockquote author=”Philippians 4:8″ link=”” target=”_blank”]And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. [/blockquote]