Giving Your "Best" In Everything you Do!
By Dr. Bob Winters
People are often asked to "give their best" in their personal endeavors but hardly anyone seems to know what that term really means. Most of the time, it seems that a majority of the "wannabes" try and get by with as little effort as possible but they still want the rewards of those that have been diligent in their efforts to attain the things that they have. The folks that give that little "extra" into everything that they do are the ones that tend to get to the top of their respective arena. It also seems to be true that those who are giving their all into every aspect of their lives are the happiest in what they are pursuing...... even if they fall a bit short in their quest for greatness. At least they have the peace of mind that they are going after their dreams and making the most to create their living realities. This is true in one's professional and personal life and it is absolutely true in the sports world.
Therefore, you have to ask yourself: Am I really giving the best that I have? Am I doing everything that I can to make the most of my talent and opportunities? If you answer no, then you are not doing your best....you are doing just enough to get by. What is stopping you? The following story illustrates the key point of always giving your best.
*An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer contractor of his plans to leave the house building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife enjoying his extended family. He would miss his paycheck, but he needed to retire. They would get by. The contractor was very sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he would build just one more house as a personal favor to him.
The carpenter agreed, but in time, it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. The carpenter resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials and cut corners to save time whenever he could. It was an unfortunate way to end a brilliant carpentry career.
When the carpenter finally finished the house, the contractor came to inspect the work. Upon going through the house, the contractor-owner turned to the carpenter and handed him a set of keys. "This is your house," he said, "and this is my gift to you for working for me all these wonderful years!" The carpenter was shocked. What a shame!
If he had only known he was building his own house (and most importantly, his personal home) he would have done it all so differently!
So it is with each of us. We build our lives and our careers, one day at a time... sometimes putting less than our personal best into the building. Then, with a shock, we realize that we have to live in the house that we built with our own hands.
What a great story this is! Think about it....if we could do our lives over, I am sure that we'd do it much differently. But we cannot go back. What we do have is the present moment. We have today and the rest of our lives to move forward....to go after the dream that is burning within us. You can start to achieve your personal greatness today. I think it is important to remember that YOU are the carpenter of YOUR HOUSE. Each day, you hammer a nail, place a board, and erect a wall. YOU are the only person in the world that can achieve your dreams. Life is a do-it-to-yourself project. Your attitudes and choices you make today, build the "house" you will live in tomorrow! Remember, BUILD WISELY and Take PRIDE in YOUR WORK! Start your foundation for your dream today.....give your best....you may be surprised at where you end up!
May you always give your best in everything you do!
Dr. Bob Winters
(* Special thanks to Ms. Stephanie McPhetridge for this material)
