“From Good to Great” has been a common business term ever since Jim Collins wrote his business development book back in 2001. But the idea of going from good to great isn’t just for building companies and expanding markets.

Going from good to great can be applied to virtually everything we do, in both our professional and personal lives. So many of us are challenged by time, money and other resource limitations. But taking a project, an event, a proposal, a public meeting, an interview, a family event (you get the idea, virtually any undertaking) from good to great is often a matter of passion and perspective, not time and money.

We live in world of “good enough”. You hear it from time-pressured colleagues or workplace champions of the status quo, “Leave it, it’s good enough.” There’s likely been a time when you thought, “No, actually it’s not.” but let the initiative exist as “good enough”, giving into pressure from folks who just want to get it done and move on to the next thing. But that’s a surefire recipe for mediocrity.

The difference between good and great usually comes down to four simple elements:

  • Belief
  • Passion
  • Commitment
  • Follow-through

Belief. If you believe in something, you are more inclined to fully understand it’s potential. Unrealized potential definitely keeps things at good. But with belief in potential — the possibility of what something can be with a bit more creativity and energy — then you have the ability to visualize it, articulate it and bring it to reality.

Passion. Passion helps us bring our beliefs to the forefront and move things forward. Passion gives us the conviction and confidence to defend a belief and help others recognize the unrealized potential of a project. When expressing the potential of taking something from good to great, you’ll know you’re on the right track when others say, “I can see what you mean, but how do we get there?” A passionate argument can be just the tool to bring others on side. Passion can be contagious. Passion can build believers.

Commitment. While belief and passion can get the ideas flowing, you’ll need commitment to carry “great” forward. If you are the champion of taking a project from good to great, then you must be unrelenting in your commitment. Your conviction cannot waiver and you must continue to share your belief and passion with others. Help them see the potential. And if you really believe in your idea, don’t be swayed by naysayers. Commit to being the most positive person in the room.

Follow-through. The powerful combination of belief, passion and commitment creates huge momentum for taking a project from good to great. But without follow-through — a commitment to pursuing the best of your ideas and setting the wheels in motion to make it happen — then you risk staying in the world of “good enough”. When you’re inspired to take something from good to great, share your vision of the end result with your peers. Help them understand, “instead of it being this… it could be THIS!” and back up your ideas with what the potential outcomes can be. Show them how, with follow-through, the benefits can go from good to great.

With belief, passion, commitment, follow-through and a shared understanding of the positive potential outcomes, you’ll be stepping from good to great in no time. And you’ll be surprised at the people who choose to step up with you.

Mediocrity doesn’t serve your goal or your soul. Take something from good to great this week and watch what happens.

~ Mo Douglas

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