What does the word “better” mean to you?
Everyone seems to have their own definition of what a better day is, a better job is, a better life is, or what a better economic situation is - but what does it mean to you. What was “better” look like in your own life? It is very helpful to not only be able to define what “better” actually looks like but to be able to qualify and quantify your “better” as well.
Here are three quotes that have helped me define what the idea of “better” means to me.
“Follow effective action with quiet reflection and from the quiet reflection will come even more effective action.”
This first quote comes from a mentor of mine named, Peter Drucker. I never got to meet Peter but had I had the opportunity, I would have loved to just sit down in the living room and chat with this guy. He wrote for over sixty years about management, leadership, about what it means to take things to that next level. One of the quotes that I pulled from a book that he wrote is, “Follow effective action with quiet reflection and from the quiet reflection will come even more effective action.”
What I get from that is, think and then do and then go think again. So whatever better means to you, see if you can apply some of that philosophy where you think about something and then you go do something about what you were thinking about. Then follow that up with some kind of briefing or debrief. During this process you ask yourself these questions:
Did I do what I said I’d do in the time I promised?
Did I make it from where I was to where I wanted to be?
“I long to accomplish a great and noble task but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble.”
The second quote is a famous quote by Helen Keller. “I long to accomplish a great and noble task but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble.” When I think about Helen, I think about the constant iterative improvement where she would show up day after day wanting to learn, despite all circumstances.
“Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren’t used to an environment where excellence is expected. Where excellence is expected; that’s where I want to play.”
The third quote was made by Steve Jobs, who we all know is the former CEO of Apple. One of the comments he made in a book that I read was, “Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren’t used to an environment where excellence is expected. Where excellence is expected; that’s where I want to play.” I don’t know about you, but this is exactly where I want to be too - surrounded by a population of people that is persistent, committed and really driven to make things better than they currently are!
These three quotes have continued to help me define what “better” means for me. As we look to other people in their experiences and expertise, we are able to not only learn but to grow. Growing is an essential part of becoming better and eventually leads us to becoming our best.
Is there a quote that helps you define what “better” means to you? Share your quote below!