A Commitment to Awesomeness
I wanted to be fully committed to awesomeness. Committed to giving the best that I can in every situation. Don’t you?
I lived a lot of my life living at the B minus level. With a small portion of intelligence, I could skate through school with ease. “Why strive to get A’s when I can give second (or third or fourth) best and pass?”
Same thing with most of the jobs I’ve had throughout the years. To put it in a word, I was a “hireling.” I knew that I would get paid the same whether I gave my best or coasted through. I usually chose the latter. “Why try harder if I won’t see any added benefits?”
Lately, nothing tires me more quickly than mediocrity. Mediocre work. Mediocre effort. Mediocre personal appearance. People giving a half-effort the whole time. Ugh.
I gravitate towards leaders like Scott Belsky, Ben Arment, Rob Bell and Cynthia Ware because they excel in awesomeness. They repel mediocrity. They move in awesomeness by consistently delivering a product–be it a sermon, book, or email–that oozes with intentionality and clarity.
So let’s commit together to the pursuit of awesomeness. Okay? Not perfectionism, but awesomeness. A willingness to put the cherry on top of every situation. I’m game. Are you?
How will you commit to awesomeness today?
When the words came out of your mouth this morning, I knew at that very moment it'd be a blog post! Good thought and a good read!
Good stuff Justin. I'm in.
I like to think of it as a commitment to making the most of any situation. God is constantly giving us resources and as a result opportunities. What will we do with it all? Why not fasten the seat belt and experience all God has for us!
Thanks for the inspiration and kick in the pants! I'd add 'glass half empty' to your list of energy drainers. What if the disciples or Moses, etc. would have gotten by with 'We can't do that”?
Don't disagree with you here, Justin, though I think aspiring to awesomeness should also include setting up systems that help you get there. That means things like setting meaningful goals for yourself, not taking on more projects than you have time to give your best to (raising a guilty hand here!), getting the right kind of rest, etc.
Stop dreaming and start doing. That will be a big step towards awesome.
Wow, it's almost like I wrote this. I can see the exact same thing in my life… Well said.
For realz. I think a lot of people probably could say the same. Never too late to turn it around!
BINGO. You read Belsky's book yet?
“There are no such things as visionaries, only architects of vision-producing systems.” Ben Arment.
I wish. I am knee deep in Andy Stanley books (part of a reading assignment for my job) which isn't a bad thing, but books that I want to and need to read have put on hold. But I need to read that ASAP. Probably go and pick it up here shortly.
Worth the read I assume?
One of the single most influential books I've read in the last five years. I can send you my copy if you want. Let me know. You know where to find me!
Wow, that sounds like a must read. That would actually be killer to be able to get that. I will read and send it back. I will email you my address. Thanks
For realz. I think a lot of people probably could say the same. Never too late to turn it around!
BINGO. You read Belsky's book yet?
“There are no such things as visionaries, only architects of vision-producing systems.” Ben Arment.
I wish. I am knee deep in Andy Stanley books (part of a reading assignment for my job) which isn't a bad thing, but books that I want to and need to read have put on hold. But I need to read that ASAP. Probably go and pick it up here shortly.
Worth the read I assume?
One of the single most influential books I've read in the last five years. I can send you my copy if you want. Let me know. You know where to find me!
Wow, that sounds like a must read. That would actually be killer to be able to get that. I will read and send it back. I will email you my address. Thanks