Bookmark Website  | Free Registration  | The Team
The Lounge  | Champions  | The Wire |  Schedule |  Audio  |  Arcade  |  The Top Ten  |  Historical  |  Email  |  Video

A Resolution for Excellence


"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit." - Aristotle

January is typically the time of year when we pledge ourselves to all kinds of New Year's resolutions designed to make our lives better. There are common themes to these resolutions like losing weight, quitting smoking, or getting healthy. During the first few weeks, efforts to change are usually very strong. Gradually the motivation slows down and eventually wanes away to a distant memory in the backs of our minds. Instead of participating in this frustrating cycle, make the commitment to become the best person that you can be all year round - a commitment to excellence.

The difference of committing to excellence is that you are changing more than just the surface; there is a shift in how you approach everything that you do. Excellence can be defined in many different ways for many different people. It depends on what your priorities are and what you value in your life. Maybe it's the relationships you have, or the work that you do, or the people that you help. Whatever it is, dedicate yourself to being the best that you can be regardless of other people's standards. Remember also, that this is a change you will make from this point forward. Excellence is not defined by a single act, but by consistent behavior.

There are many ways that you can approach this commitment, but I would recommend formalizing the process. Writing your ideas down on paper can help you to sort out your thoughts and make it more concrete. Some simple steps might include:

1) List all the things that you value, and that give your life importance

2) Prioritize the items on the list

3) On a scale from 1 - 10 (1 = I am not doing my best and 10 = I am doing the best that I can) rank how you think you are doing in each area

4) Take an honest look at your list, and make a commitment to dedicate your energies to making improvements where needed

Committing to excellence will also change the language that you use. Instead of thinking to yourself "I will survive" or "I can make it through", say instead, "I'm going to get the most out of this" or "I'll do the very best that I can". Focusing on what you are doing when you are doing it will ignite your spirit and fire your energy. Surround yourself with people who inspire you, and share your inspiration with others. Aspire to reach beyond. Live excellence.

Dr. Tanja Haley is a psychologist in private practice in Calgary, Alberta. She specializes in working with couples, and with adults dealing with stress, depression, and trauma issues. Along with a full-time private practice, Tanja also teaches for the Campus Alberta program in counselling and is an Oral Examiner for the College of Alberta Psychologists. You can contact Tanja at dr.tanja@shaw.ca, or visit her website: http://www.drtanja.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Wounded Canadiens find motivation in desperation
Yahoo! Sports
Urgency. Desperation. These were the words Michael Cammalleri(notes) used to characterize the mindset of his Montreal Canadiens heading ...

and more »


Windsor finding motivation after being tagged as underdog
Windsor Beacon
The Windsor High School football team stayed a night in Steamboat Springs on Friday and got up this morning to go settle a score. ...

and more »


The Star-Ledger - NJ.com

'Chip on shoulder' gave Tim Brown motivation to become Rutgers' No. 1 wide ...
The Star-Ledger - NJ.com
Noah K. Murray/The Star-ledgertim Brown has managed to make the catches for Rutgers despite being 5-8, like this touchdown ...



GoVolsXtra

Vols fighting through injuries
Columbia Daily Herald
“That was part of my motivation, to stay out there and give those guys a little leadership and guidance ... and keep the guys heads in the game. ...
Bowl is Vol goalDawg Post (subscription)

all 104 news articles »


Wildcats use last year's game as motivation, lesson
Oregon Daily Emerald
When the Arizona Wildcats (6-3, 4-2 Pacific-10 Conference) visited Autzen Stadium last year they found themselves down two ...

and more »


Telegraph.co.uk

Fort Hood shooting splits America over Islamic terror motive
Christian Science Monitor
But some US lawmakers see the terrorism analogy as fundamentally important to the inquiry — not just into Hasan's motivations, but to national security ...
Fort Hood: The War at HomeForeign Policy In Focus
Does it matter whether we call Hasan a terrorist?Dallas Morning News
The Fort Hood Shootings Have Al Qeda Written All Over ItAsianWeek
FrontPage Magazine -National Review Online (blog)
all 1,535 news articles »


CBC.ca

With motivation from Pierce, Rondo turned up his game against Warriors
Providence Journal
By ROBERT LEE BOSTON – When Rajon Rondo entered training camp, the Celtics wanted him to show that he could be a consistent star night in and night out. ...
Perkins Talking Bout Practice, Practice!Hardwood Houdini (blog)
Rivers looks inward for answers to woesBoston Globe

all 509 news articles »


UTEP Miners have motivation vs. Rice
American Chronicle
Motivation comes in different forms for two teams looking for closing flourishes to dress up losing seasons. Still, there is no shortage of that motivation. ...



MiamiHerald.com

Smokers get motivation to quit from great American Smokeout
TopNews United States
This Thursday is the Great American Smoke Out, which is being used for more than 30 years to help aid them in quitting smoking. As per a survey conducted by ...
Activists target city's high rate of smokingWorcester Telegram
The great American smokeout, are you ready to quit?Examiner.com
KDHE Says Money Could Be Motivator In Quitting SmokingWIBW
WWSB ABC 7 -Norwich Bulletin -Clovis News Journal
all 579 news articles »


Albany Times Union

OUR LEAGUE: Plenty of motivation for Clemson
Charlottesville Daily Progress
... a season-opening loss, a win in the last home game of the season and the last ACC game of the season and Senior Day, to name some motivating factors. ...
Gameday preview: Clemson vs. VirginiaThe State

all 562 news articles »

Google News


Advertisement



Section Site Map - Submit News - Feedback - Comments - Advertise with Us

Copyright © 2006 Luminati Inc. All rights reserved.