The Road to Excellence: Take the Long Way
It is easier to do a job right than to explain why you didn’t.— Martin Van Buren
Have you ever had to do a chore you just didn’t have the time to do?
Time. Somehow, it’s become our most valued asset, one you cannot buy more of or get back once it passes. We search for ways to make the least desirable agenda items quick (cleaning the house) so we have more time to do what we love (walking by the beach).
Cutting corners often means rushing things. Learning how to scan, shoot off emails and delegate in a haphazard fashion, nodding your head while feigning listening are all symptoms of cutting corners. How many of us have, in retrospect, wished we’d taken the time to have REALLY listened or really read the contents of the document which sat before us? We’ve all had a time where we rushed through a job and had to look back wishing we had taken our sweet time.
Today’s quote reminds us that having to re-do, fix, or explain why things we did in a rush the wrong way takes more time than slowing down and doing things the right way the first time.
Since the clock springs ahead today, I thought it fitting to embrace the clock this week and encourage us to take our time, do things with care and energy the best way we possibly can. The rewards will be feel-good moments of credibility—knowing you didn’t take the short cut to mediocrity but the real road to excellence.
Wishing you the best while you “spring forward” this week!
p.s. I always am interested in what you think about these discussions. Please post your thoughts on the blog…your constructive criticism and support is appreciated!
Dr. Lynn K. Jones, Certified Personal and Executive Coach
Your Mojo Maven
http://LynnKJones.com
It really is worth it to take the long way. A few extra minutes now could save hours of headaches later! Doing it right the first time keeps us from having to redo it later.
You are so right. Sometimes I am tempted to take a short cut and I always regret it later! The real joy of any task is really the process, so taking time makes it more enjoyable anyway.