Excellence

# Chapter 186

There are few statesmen in the history of the USA that are more quoted than Abraham Lincoln. I have read a number of book synopsis lately on his life and from this gleaned ways to lead and live. One of his quotes that I enjoy and respect so much “whatever you do, be a good one” is just filled to the brim with great application. I think that the most powerful thing that this statement shows is that Abe Lincoln is not encouraging you to be a politician. We could stay right here on this point all day.

First of all it is a celebration of all vocations. Whatever you choose to do . . . is whatever you choose to do. There are no good vocations or bad vocations, there are just the jobs that we choose to do. However if he was advising you on jobs, he clearly is not advising you to pursue politics, given the golden opportunity he had here. And neither did my parents encourage my brother or me to follow in their footsteps, as the person in a vocation keenly sees understands and feels all the negatives of that vocation, and other vocations seem attractive to them when they are feeling those negatives.

But most importantly and significantly Lincoln is promoting excellence. Do it well. Whatever your whatever is, do it well. Don’t let anyone or anything prevent you from being one of the best at it. Have pride in what you do, have respect for your vocation even with all the negatives. Do it well. The world is hungry for excellence and that appetite never wanes.