Consistency in Doing Your Best

This post is a lecture to myself. I hope you find something in it of value to you, too.

This weekend I was in a rotten mood and decided to listen to some upbeat music. I listened to Guts and Steel by Buster B. Jones and Thom Bresh. They play a lot of upbeat tunes with a real punch, and this tune started out that way. [1], [2]

But, there was a spot in which Thom’s lead was too subdued. I suspect this was due to a poor balancing job by the recording engineer. So, here we have two million-dollar guitarists whose overall sound is hurt by a third party who didn’t give his best.

So, point number 1:

• When you sub-out some of your work, the quality of their work (or lack thereof) can reflect on you.

Point number 2 is equally important:

• If you do your best on 90% of a project, and rush the last 10% without giving it your best, the whole project suffers, and you suffer for it.

My Dad, who would have been 81 years old this coming Thursday, used to say: “If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right.” And in my heart I believe him. It’s unfortunate that I sometimes forget it: I get swept up in being efficient and then have to look back and admit that I did not do my best. Getting the job done is not the same as doing your best.

The living person I most admire is a retired Admiral who is currently a CEO and, unless he has made recent changes, serves on 8 Boards. Of course he has other speaking engagements as well. His staff tells me his calendar is unbelievable. But, you know what? He still puts his very best into everything he does. He signs everything with “All my best,” and he means it … he puts his best into everything and every organization and life he touches benefits from it. He is a fine man, and when I find myself not doing my best, I am trying to remind myself of how he leads his life.

So, when you catch me railing against perfectionism, as I did recently, remind me that doing my best is what counts.

Update, 2007.07.03 - I need to clarify that I am not for doing everything yourself. I advocate delegating so that work goes to the people with the right talents for the job. I am for teamwork, enormously so: the benefits of participating in good team discussions cannot be achieved on one’s own. But, when you participate in team, give that participation your best. When you delegate, give your best thought to how and what to delegate. And, of course, for all you do by yourself, give it your best. As I said at the start, I am lecturing myself, but it could be just the words you need to see, too.

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[1] David, if you happen to read this: I seem to recall that this tune was recorded at an outside gig on the west coast, one that you took Dad to. If it was on the outside, that could explain some recording difficulties. Do you recall?
[2] Lance, the tune of theirs you really, really want to listen to is Pickin’ and Foolin’/Stumpwater. Fast as lightening and absolutely flawless.