Mikolaj's Monday Maunder - Within your reach

Inspiration and lessons for your leadership journey!

---

“Whoever I am, or whatever I am doing, some kind of excellence is within my reach.”
~ John William Gardner ~

It’s easy to get discouraged and even fearful in our culture. I don’t know about you, but I have to actively work at nurturing joy, peace, and love every day. Some days I’m more successful than others. A Travel Guide to Leadership is full of ideas that help.

There is another way that I didn’t explicitly point out in the book: reaching for excellence. I was lucky to be born to parents who strove for excellence in their work and encouraged – sometimes demanded – it in me and my sisters. Whether it was cleaning the house, putting away the groceries, mowing the yard, or completing some major home improvement, we not only saw our parents do their very best, but they expected it of us, too – even if our contribution was just a small part. They taught us that going the extra mile – spending just a little more time and effort on something – had benefits.

It wasn’t long before I realized that not everyone grows up that way. Others would say, “It’s good enough for government work” or “Leave well enough alone” or “Who cares? The boss sure doesn’t care about us!” or “It’s good enough.”

That’s unfortunate because there is something inherently rewarding about doing, not just a good job, but the very best that you can, despite circumstances and sometimes other people and organizations. And, like our opening quote reminds us, there is always some kind of excellence within reach.

Teachers are a great example of this. Many of you know my wife, Leah, is a teacher and an inspiration to me. Like many teachers, she faces government cutbacks, stagnant wages, a weak economy that affects her student population disproportionately, and sometimes what seems like unsupportive parents and leadership. Despite these and more, she and countless teachers like her continue to give their best to and for our children. They are mission/vision/value-driven!

What challenges are you facing, right now? How can you best respond? What excellence is within your reach today?

---

This Week's Affirmations
(Repeat these quietly to yourself multiple times throughout the day.)

I am focused on my mission, vision, and values.

I find joy in doing my best, no matter what others are doing or saying.

I look for ways to grow and improve.

I am a loving leader!

---

If you like this week's blog, I encourage you to share it with your family, friends, and colleagues and join me on my journey to empower and inspire millions of people around the globe.

Together we can spread words of Encouragement, Inspiration, Empowerment, and Loving Leadership... and wouldn't you agree our world could use a little more "Positivity" these days?

Together we can make a difference...

Have an amazing journey today!

Alan

---