To Serve well

Serving with Excellence for a Life of Excellence

Excellence

What are your daily rituals of excellence?

If you want to lead an epic life – a life of purpose – we know that you need to incorporate steadfast daily rituals that help you achieve your best self. You could argue that a routine is more important now more than ever, as our “normal” is turned upside down. Today felt like the right time to adapt this particularly-relevant post from a few years ago!

I am a sucker for any book, article or speaker that offers me ideas of what may be worth adding to my routine. So today, I am sharing 13 of my daily rituals. That’s my lucky number so it had to be 13. Hopefully some of these resonate for you!

  1. Get moving. My grandmother used to always say, “You have to get up, even if you don’t feel like it.” So get moving!
  2. Incorporate greens into every meal, if possible. Yep, I am even throwing a few with some lemon vinaigrette next to my morning meal.
  3. Drink lots of water! I carry my water bottle everywhere!
  4. Use dishes you love. I had a local potter (Erica Iman of Urban Potters) make my plates, bowls and mugs for the house. I got the idea from a hotel I was visiting for business. They served up a simple dish in a super cool bowl and I loved it. I realized that something as boring a salad or bowl of soup can be special if you know it was made by hand by someone who loves their craft. That is a gift to me.
  5. Spend time in nature. A walk with my dog is my personal favorite, but any time outdoors is the goal. Some days it may even just be rolling the windows down in the car and enjoying the breeze.
  6. Start the day by reading from the Bible. I have done this for many, many years now and I am still learning and growing.
  7. Learn. I incorporate learning into my life anytime I can. If I’m not reading, it could be a podcast while I’m driving or walking. I can’t get enough.
  8. Send an encouraging message to a friend or colleague.
  9. Try to catch the sunset and snap a picture if possible!
  10. Read and relax. I almost always end my day with a bath and take time to read. This time to unwind and get out of my head is just what the doctor ordered to sleep well!
  11. Listen to music. I need to learn to listen to it more, because I love it. There is nothing like throwing on some Kenny Chesney, Fleetwood Mac, Boston, Hillsong, Elevation Music, Lionel Richie, Alicia Keys, John Mayer, etc. It can shift your energy on the spot.
  12. Positive social media talk! I am very intentional about keeping my social media feeds positive. I unfollow those who aren’t consistently positive and thoughtful.
  13. Pray. I believe all prayer forms are great, but I personally want to work to go deeper and truly connect through prayer.

Your turn! I’d love to hear some of yours, so please, drop a few in the comments!

The power found in excellence & community

It’s FOOTBALL SEASON! CHIEFS SUNDAY BABY! (I’m more than just a little excited, obviously!)

Thousands of football fans across the country do their best to cheer on their teams each week and quite frankly, the energy is contagious! You know what else is contagious? Excellence! We all gravitate toward people, teams, places, experiences, and products that are amazing, above average, great and … devoted to excellence.

The Kansas City Chiefs are a great example to point to today on the topic. They have been in “build” mode for the past few years, and moving toward excellence. The one thing that stands out to me is that the team has quite clearly shifted toward this incredibly-positive energy that quite literally fuels the community into believing they can achieve whatever they set hearts and minds to. They are bringing forward extraordinary commitment and dedication in support of their goals and the community they play for. The end result is that this attention to excellence in all that they are doing shows up on the field, and that is a beautiful thing!

The COMMUNITY has rallied behind the team’s new attitude and approach and therein lies the POWER of EXCELLENCE. We all want to be part of it… a part of people doing great things, and of organizations that BRING their BRILLIANCE to the field every single day. I’m thankful for Kansas City and its dedication in all kinds of years, including the building seasons that aren’t always too much fun. No matter what you do, or who you find yourself cheering for, I hope you’ll stop for a moment and notice the level of EXCELLENCE and continue to move it forward. It’s a fun thought to think about the power we could generate if we all did this!

Praying for you all to have the best week!

GO CHIEFS!

A call to the people in your story

Who has been a key part of your story? Probably a lot of great influencers, and people who have walked alongside you at all ages. I don’t remember much from elementary school, but my immediate family stands out. There were a couple of friends I recall, though not so much their names, from middle school skate parties and endless sleepovers. High school and college have many stand outs, from dear friends, to teachers and even early bosses. My career has provided great leaders, and awful managers; those who have mentored me, and those I have mentored. My mind can also see what seems like hundreds of faces of people who have impacted me with their stories of bravery, courage and otherwise living out lives of excellence and humility on a day in and day out basis.

Here’s the idea today: We need to reflect. We need to take the time to look back and see how the right people have been placed right where we needed them – at just the right time. It is so cool how life seems designed to provide the hope we needed in a moment, the lesson that we perhaps didn’t know we needed, or the courage to rise to the occasion of something or for someone that really needed our support. Our journeys are so much better thanks to these people – many of them surrounding us right this moment. You know what is great? We have the opportunity to let them know about that impact.

As it’s still back-to-school season, I thought it was the perfect time for this little “assignment.” Who is in with me on calling out those people who have been key to your life, and reaching out with a big thank you? By Friday, let’s each identify at least 3 people, and go spread some gratitude and joy? I know it will make all of the difference. Have an awesome week!

Daily rituals of excellence

It is no doubt that if you want to lead an “epic” life – a life of purpose – that you incorporate some steadfast daily rituals that help you achieve your best self.

I am a sucker for any book, article, speaker who offers me ideas of what may be worth adding into my routine. I loved this picture for two reasons: it is a beautiful work of architecture and, the people in the background look like they are soaking up the beauty around them instead of hurrying past the moment. That’s a great ritual.

So today I am sharing 13 of my daily rituals. That’s my lucky number so it had to be 13. Hopefully at least one will strike a chord for you. They ebb and flow a bit with the season, so the start of summer may be a great time to change it up a bit. I’d love to hear some of yours, so please take time to note one or more in the comments!

  1. Get moving. My grandmother, who just passed a few months ago at 96, used to always say “You have to get up, even if you don’t feel like it.” So get to moving!
  2. Incorporate greens into every meal if possible. Yep, I am even throwing a few with some lemon vinaigrette next to my morning meal.
  3. Drink lots of water! I carry my water bottle everywhere!
  4. Use dishes you love. I had a local potter, (Erica Iman of Urban Potters) make my plates, bowls and mugs for the house. I got the idea from a hotel I was visiting for business. They served up a simple dish in a super cool bowl and I loved it. I realized that something as boring a salad or bowl of soup can be special if you know it was made by hand by someone who loves their craft. That is a gift to me.
  5. Spend time in nature. A walk with my dogs is my personal favorite, but any time outdoors is the goal. Some days it may even just be rolling the windows down in the car and enjoying the breeze.
  6. Start the day by reading from the Bible. I have done this 7 years in a row now. This year, I am following a chronological version plan via the YouVersion Bible app. I journal one thing that stood out to me and pray that I might learn, grow and engage with it if applicable.
  7. LEARN. I incorporate learning into my life anytime I can. Solo time in the car, walking on the treadmill, etc. I have a host of speakers I listen to as well as podcasts as of late.
  8. Send an encouraging message to a friend or colleague.
  9. Try to catch the sunset and snap a picture if possible. I just added this one over the past year and I love it.
  10. Read and relax. I almost always end my day with a bath and take time to read for at least an hour, and often a lot more. This time to unwind and get out of my head is just what the doctor ordered to sleep well! (I read non fiction, and generally business books, or some sort of self improvement, spiritual or otherwise similar in messaging.)
  11. Music… I need to learn to listen to it more, because I love it. I’ve tried to be mindful of this lately because there is nothing like throwing on some Kenny Chesney, Fleetwood Mac, Boston, Hillsong, Elevation Music, Lionel Richie, Alicia Keys, John Mayer, etc. It can shift your energy on the spot.
  12. Positive social media talk! I am very intentional about keeping my social media feeds positive. For example, I use Twitter primarily for business or inspiration, but I craft who I follow with a goal in mind. I unfollow those who aren’t consistently positive and thoughtful. (Overuse of social media could be on my “things I need to take out of my daily life.” I’ll save that for another blog…)
  13. Pray. My goal this year is to be a better “prayer” person. I’m good at the brief, “popcorn” prayers and I believe all prayer forms are great, but I want to go deeper and truly connect through prayer.

Your turn!

Excellence is in the “small stuff”

Excellence: The Triumph of Humanity (Tom Peters)

“Janet Dugan, a health care architect, took inspiration from her recent experience having an MRI scan. While she was lying still and waiting, she noticed a small mirror that had been placed below the head support piece. It was angled so that she could see through the barrel to the radiology technician and make eye contact with him. ‘What a small thing,  and yet what a difference it made. I felt less alone. I was connected to another person at the very moment I needed support…  I firmly believe in the power of design to contribute to the healing process – that architecture can shape events and transform lives. But that day, in that experience, the thing that really gave me comfort was a tiny mirror about as big as a Band-Aid.”  – Tim Leberecht, The Business Romantic, via Tom Peter’s opening in his new book, The Excellence Dividend.

I am a huge Tom Peters fan. And to me, he is the single greatest leadership expert of our time. He is 75 now and smarter than ever. His new book is an instant classic and we will all be better for it.

Today, as you think through your work week, I hope you will remember this story which is literally the first few words of the book. I hope it sinks in and that you look inward to your life, home, workplace and community and see what “details” or “small stuff” you could impact that makes the difference between “OK,” and “EXCELLENCE,” or even better, pure delight.

I am “delighted” when the local farm, Campo Lindo, (whose eggs I get at Whole Foods when the farmer’s market isn’t in season), has a little note in the carton telling me what is going on at the farm. Probably my favorite example is from my mother in law, who cared for the boys when they were young while we were working. Every single morning she would give them a typed up menu including a list of their favorite breakfast options, a la “Grandma’s Kitchen,” for them to circle their choice for the day. How cool is that? I am sure that they will never forget that extra attention to detail. I know I won’t. Excellence, details, and “small stuff” make all the difference.

Dive in to that idea today!

Simple Thoughts Sunday: What is one thing you can do?

What did I do today that required faith? For that matter, what did I do in the past year that required faith?

Pretty good questions, but I’m not sure I have good answers. Maybe if I thought about it a bit.

I really loved the thought above inspired by Craig Groeschel. He talked a lot about having faith to follow your dreams, or to make that call you really know you need to make but just don’t have the guts to do it. The question could be: What is one thing I can do to up my game this week? To truly be a better version of myself? Do I need to forgive; to reach out more; to really follow that career path I know I have been led to? I’m sure you get the idea.

Today is short and simple. I’ll leave it to you to think through your one thing. I know exactly what I need to do! My prayer is that this week is truly beautiful for you in every way!

Simple Thoughts Sunday: Playing to win

I am a fan of daily devotions. A good friend got me the ‘Awaken’ devotional book from Priscilla Shirer for this year, and I am really liking it. I love practice examples and she offers plenty. In this verse, she focused on the “in such a way,” part: “Read this again and see: the winning is not just in the running. It’s in the WAY the RACE IS RUN.”

It’s Superbowl Sunday and the Winter Olympics launch on Thursday. A huge week for sports fan and I am indeed among them. Serious athletes and all of us who strive for excellence in our own “race” must run with endurance and have the discipline needed to anchor our souls and lives to a plan that will help us to do so in the best possible way.

Shirer suggests that we do this by listening and submitting in obedience to God’s word. In other words, to actually seek out his voice through scripture reading and any other way that you can soak it in with today’s many resources.

For this “Simple Thoughts Sunday” I am all in on following his plan to achieve the life of excellence I desire. I hope you will have some time to truly enjoy the big game today and will celebrate the athletes who have indeed put in the effort to WIN later this week with the rest of the world.

I can’t wait to spend some time this week diving into the insights of Olympics past and present. It will be FUN!

Rules for excellence…

If you don’t know the leadership guru of all gurus, Tom Peters, look him up. He is well into his 70s and still pushing out amazing content. I love that.

He’s most famous for co-authoring ‘In Search of Excellence,’ but his credits go far beyond that classic. I have found his book ‘The little BIG things, is probably the best I’ve read in years. In it, he outlines 163 ways to pursue excellence and most of them are brilliant. (I’m sure all are to some.) The quotes in the attached image come from this read. He wisely credits other great thinkers, including the everyday types, like lessons from the local barista.

I knew for sure when I read #62 (above) on his list that I had to share it with you.

If I were Rosesblatt (author of “Rules for Aging”), I would say that these are great suggestions for all of us. Wisely seeking good counsel and, for that matter, a wide array of viewpoints, is always something that can help us improve. I believe this is true whether you’re dealing with basic home matters, finances or, of course, fulfilling your purpose in work/school/where ever God planted you. LOVE IT.

Is there an issue right now where you could use some counsel? Someone to listen and give you a perspective? We should all seek that out this week. (Make a note now to do it… that’s what I have to do!)

The second suggestion on thanking others early and often – and even profusely – was the point of Tuesday’s “Spread Joy” blog. We cannot underestimate the power of encouraging one another.

WE MUST MAKE THIS A PRIORITY if we want to SERVE WELL!