Where are you on your journey from Good to Great?
Are you developing a culture of discipline? According to Jim
Collins, author of “From Good to Great” there is actually a language
of greatness. Certainly, the world’s best athletes have mastered
this language and practice it on a daily basis with discipline.
There is much to be learned from great sportsmanship but at it’s
simplest, the difference between good and great is not the “extra
mile” but rather the “extra degree” – ONE extra degree of effort.
I recently discovered the 212° movie
(www.212movie.com) It begins – “Water is hot at 211°. At 212° it
boils. And with boiling water comes steam. Steam can power a
locomotive. One extra degree of effort makes all the difference. And
the one extra degree in business and in life separates the good from
the great. The average margin of victory for the past 25 years in
all major tournaments combined, was less than three strokes. The
margin of victory for an Olympic gold medal and no medal at all is
extremely small. In the 2004 men’s 800 meter race the margin of
victory was .71 seconds. At the Indy 100 the average margin for
victory for the past 10 years has been 1.54 seconds.
On average, the winner took home $1,278,813. The
second place winner took $621,321. It’s your life; you are
responsible for the results so turn up the heat.” And I might add,
go the distance with clarity and focus about your understanding of
what you can be the best at -- not a goal to be the best, a strategy
to be the best, an intention to be the best, a plan to be the best,
but rather an understanding… and a 212 degree attitude!
