We often compare today’s performance relative to yesterdays.
It’s a bit better, or a bit worse… and that’s OK.
But the problem, the huge problem, with this is that when we tolerate slightly worse on a daily basis, we ultimately lower our expectations and slide into mediocrity.
The alternative is to get crystal clear on the standard that is required and to hold ourselves, and our colleagues, to this.
Relentlessly.
Performance increases with higher expectations.
One of the greatest lies we tell ourselves is that we’re falling behind. That someone else is ahead.
As a young man I associated strength with force; louder voices, sharper opinions, firm lines in the sand.
There’s a strange kind of pride we’ve developed in being exhausted. But even lions, the king of the jungle, rest.
I can't remember a time in my life when I didn't have ambition.
We sometimes believe strength means self-sufficiency — that being independent means being isolated.
We often try to outrun the storm, emotionally, physically, spiritually.
We’re entering an age where machines do our thinking before we’ve even had a chance to try.
In church the other day, the pastor gave a sermon that really stuck with me. He talked about two people.