Average Is Over

I have a secret to tell you.

You can achieve practically any of your wildest dreams.

It really doesn’t matter how big.

Suspicious?

Doubtful?

By the end of this blog post, you won’t be.

The secret is…Everything Counts!

Little things become big things.

Nothing is insignificant.

Everything accumulates, compounds and piles up.

If you long to accomplish great and noble goals, you first must learn to approach every task as though it were great and noble.

That’s a point worth repeating…

If you long to accomplish great and noble goals, you first must learn to approach every task as though it were great and noble.

Even the grandest project depends on the success of the smallest components.

Many people and organizations downplay small details, dismissing them as minutia-the “small stuff,” that we’re encouraged to ignore.

But, in fact, our whole environment is simply an accumulation of tiny details.

Although we measure our lives in years, we live them in days, hours, minutes and seconds.

Every action-every detail of our lives—has bottom-line repercussions.

It’s dangerous and derogatory to think of any of those details as trivial, unimportant or inconsequential.

Successful people, in many walks of life, understand the importance of detail and why everything counts:

Crime scene investigators know that it’s often the smallest, most obscure detail that results in the arrest and prosecution of criminals.

Athletes and coaches are all too aware that one minor misjudgment can swing momentum to their competitor, and result in a loss rather than a win.

Doctors and nurses understand that the slightest mistake or loss of focus can result in a tragic situation that carries massive liability.

Engineers and architects know that the stability of the most gigantic structure depends on the integrity of its smallest element; a failed bolt or a misplaced pin can have huge consequences.

Fireman, first responders and other emergency personnel are trained to focus on details even as a tragedy unfolds, as every second can make the difference between life and death in an emergency situation.

Ultimately the key to quality and excellence in every aspect of our lives is doing little things correctly, all the time, every time, so that each action produces a quality result.

When every detail is lovingly attended to, and each step in the process is given complete and careful attention, the end result inevitably will be of the highest quality.

The magic behind every outstanding performance, exceptional meal, fine piece of furniture, jewelry or clothing is always found in the smallest of details.

Those who enjoy the greatest success understand that it takes hundreds of small, seemingly insignificant details repeated perfectly day in and day out to create an unforgettably excellent experience.

The people who deliver superior results are not simply doing more of the same things everyone else does; they are doing better things, and they are making everything count.

Very small differences, consistently practiced, produce superior results.

The distance between those who achieve their goals consistently and those who spend their lives and careers merely following has everything to do with one’s ability to go the extra mile.

Search wherever you will for a single sound argument against the principle of going the extra mile, and you will not find it, nor will you find a single instance of enduring success which was not attained in part by its application.

From parenting children to managing a staff, the true leaders in any field are willing to go farther than anyone else…the extra mile.

Your ability to elicit behavior that goes above and beyond the call of duty is a key asset and competitive weapon, one that is extremely difficult for competitors to imitate and virtually impossible to ignore.

AVERAGE IS OVER

In today’s competitive environment, mediocrity is a self-imposed death sentence.

Either you’re among the select few who are thriving, or you’re like most people who are distracted, overwhelmed and struggling.

Here’s the raw, honest, finger-in-the-eye truth…it’s simply not enough to just show up, go through the motions and do your work.

Just in case, you might be wondering why…tattoo this next line to your brain.

Superior performance is not, never has been, nor will it ever be the by-product or ordinary efforts!

You must embrace the fact that in order for you to remain competitive, then it’s in your best interest to learn what it takes to make everything count and exceed expectations at all times.

Knowing that Everything Counts is the way to focus on and achieve superior results as it’s an execution strategy for inspiring excellence and driving exceptional results.

By adopting Everything Counts as the golden rule of excellence, you’ll begin to examine even the smallest details; those which in the past may have compromised performance and even contaminated your character and reputation.

No matter how you define performance excellence, it will always include exceptional quality, meticulous attention to details, uncompromising standards, and superior craftsmanship fueled by love and passion.

Excellence is respected and admired, and serves as the triumphant accomplishment of those unwilling to accept anything less than their absolute best.

World-class results are the product of world-class habits and activities.

From start to finish, the distinguishing characteristics of success are found in the details.

The popular philosophy that instructs us not to “sweat the small stuff” is flawed, because it breeds poor customer service, under performance, wasted opportunity, mistakes, inconsistencies, rework, and oversights.

From typos to tardiness, many people and organizations act as if details just don’t matter much.

The result of this mind-set is that they treat customers poorly, deliver sloppy results, and show up both unprepared and late.

While mission statements and service creeds extol excellence, quality, and consistency… customers tend to receive mediocrity, apathy and–far too often…incompetence.

We all have it within ourselves the power to raise the bar of our own performance any time we wish by dumping “don’t sweat” complacency and by embracing an “Everything Counts!” attitude.

Make no mistake, the adoption of an “Everything Counts!” philosophy takes conscious effort, immense discipline, and a deep reservoir of commitment.

If it were easy, you wouldn’t need those attributes to be successful.

That’s another important reason why…

Everything Counts!

Gary Ryan Blair

Call To Action

If you want to remain competitive, drive superior results and create an unbeatable competitive advantage…adopt everything counts as your core operating philosophy.

By doing so, you’ll be joining the ranks of every great chef, athlete, doctor, engineer, parent, teacher, coach, writer, special forces operator and performer…the ones who refuse to accept anything less than their absolute best. Make that decision today!