As I view my life the hours, days, weeks, months, and years flow so quickly I sometimes wonder what I’m consciously doing to create unique and precious memories. The majority of my time is in routine mode. Plans are set. Schedules are filled. Responsibilities are met. As I move from one day to the next, I go from task to task. The majority of my time I’m on “auto-pilot”.

Although I had heard the song, “One Moment in Time” on numerous occasions, it wasn’t until recently that those words had a significant impact on me. When I made the decision to support 3 breast cancer survivors by participating in the Avon 3Day 60 mile walk, my laser focus was on adequate training and fund raising. I worked consistently in both areas. There were days I walked for 6 hours or more. During the summer months I’d be out as early as 6 a.m to cover the miles I needed to before the day became too hot. At the beginning of each week

I’d anxiously wait for the email posting of the pledge update to be certain I was on target to raise the required money to participate.
I followed this routine for 7 months. Day after day I’d think about the women for whom I was walking, the cause I was supporting, and the positive impact the money raised would have in providing education and medical care to women in need. What I didn’t realize throughout the training was the impact the effort would have on me. It wasn’t until I was actually participating in the 3 Day that the value of all the work, the time, and the effort became clear. I had made an enormous commitment to 3 incredible women, to all of my supporters, and to myself to complete what I had set out to do. Although I went into the endeavor believing I could live up to the task, I had no idea how the actual experience would feel. The walk was overwhelming on all levels. I completed 60 miles feeling strong and healthy, without any blisters and with little fatigue. This accomplishment was a huge boost to my confidence.
Crossing the finish line to the roaring cheer of thousands of well wishers who had assembled to welcome us all home, I felt an emotion like no other. I felt so happy and proud. My “One Moment in Time” was more real than I ever thought possible. To this day I can still hear the clapping, singing, and shouting of the thousands of supporters. I can feel my heart accelerating. I have relived the emotion of that moment many, many times.

I don’t know if you’ve ever experienced your moment in time. If you have, you can relate to my feelings. If your time is still uncertain, create a challenge bigger than you ever thought possible and go for it with unstoppable determination. Believe me, every minute of your time and effort will be worth the struggle. When it becomes tough to continue toward your goal, (and it will) stop and think of those who will be cheering for you at your finish line because they love you and wanted to be with you to celebrate your success.

Why be average when you are capable of excellence? Think for a moment about the satisfaction you experienced from a job well done. Years ago while working full time and raising
two small children I earned my Master’s Degree. I poured myself into studying evenings and weekends. I attended classroom instruction for two consecutive summers.

At graduation three years later, when my name was read, as I crossed the stage and handed my diploma, I knew that I had done my personal best. In spite of all the responsibilities
I had during that time, the challenges associated with keeping my life and family together, and doubting whether I could really accomplish what I set out to do, I proved to myself what I am
capable of achieving.

For me, excellence is not about perfection; it’s about doing your personal best in every endeavor and continually striving to get better. Fulfillment is experienced by those who pursue
excellence.

From that experience forward I learned that excellence is achieved by self-training and habit. Half-way is never enough when one is capable of playing all out. When you play your best, you win. It’s essential to make plans and set goals with confidence and carry them out to the best of your ability. The only measuring tool you ever need is the one you measure against yourself. We each recognize when we are performing well. When we really acknowledge the value of everything we do, no tangible reward can substitute for our inner peace and satisfaction.

I encourage you to make excellence a habit. Every task you undertake has your name on it. It is a reflection of who you are and what you’ve accomplished. Separate yourself from others
by setting a higher example. Be worthy of your own approval. There is infinite distance between average and excellent. Decide to give up “ordinary” when you are capable of “extraordinary”. Make room for self-improvement. Increase your standards and deliver more than you had thought you were capable of. Excellence is always within your reach. Simply stated, simply do your best.

I hate deadlines and feel overwhelmed when under pressure. When I have a task to accomplish by a certain time, I’d prefer to plan accordingly to meet my obligations in advance of the deadline. Unfortunately, most of us procrastinate. Sometimes our decision to “wait until the last minute” has no affect on anyone else except creating self-imposed pressure. On the
other hand, there are tasks when finished at the last minute cause a ripple affect that results in stressing everyone involved.
I can recall many instances where I felt pressure as the result of another’s last minute performance. I experienced two postponed home settlements because the paperwork was not completed on time. Recently I had to rush through traffic because the person I was taking to the airport was still packing for the trip when I arrived at the scheduled time. There are times when I’m unable to complete my task because I’m waiting for someone else to finish theirs.

I wonder who created the saying “Wait until the last minute”. We’re all familiar with the concept because it’s very widespread. Seems like everyone waits to get things done. Most individuals are already stressed from work overload. Therefore, anytime another task is added to the “to do list” it is frequently overlooked until it shouts for completion. I’ve heard it said that what you resist, persists. I’ve found that to be true. The energy we exert on postponing doing something robs us of the energy we could be using to get the job done.

While we have no control over another’s attitude or accomplishments, we can commit to changing our pattern of performance to make our own lives less stressful. The next opportunity
you have to tackle a task whether at work or at home, it maybe worth making a commitment to beat the deadline. Decide for yourself that, no matter what, you’re going to get the job out of the “in basket”, off your list, or out of the way earlier than required. Think of the satisfaction you’ll feel knowing that you’ve lessened your stress and honored your personal commitment to plan ahead. I don’t think this is easy to do; so be sure to reward yourself for those times you are successful because you didn’t “wait until the last minute”.