I’ve always known the importance of details, but working with the production team at The Austin Stone has made the knowledge more concrete. More than that. The knowledge has been etched in sharp relief. Every detail matters, from the background visuals for a song to the timing of the words.
excellence
How to be a Better Writer: Pursue Excellence
I believe I am called to excellence. Most other people probably do, too. I may differ, however, in the “why” of it. I pursue excellence because God is excellent. He excels at everything He does, has done, will do. Because He tells me to model my life after Him, I choose the way of excellence.
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What is Excellence?
Perfectionism couches itself in performance, achievement, and competition. It is the antithesis of excellence. — Aaron Ivey, The Austin Stone
Good Enough isn’t Good Enough
Whatever you do, do you work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. – Colossians 3:23-4 (NASB)
The words “sloppy” and “good enough” don’t sit well with me. They are not a part of my work ethic, nor are they to what I’m called. I’m called to excellence, to doing my work heartily.
Passion, People, Projects, and the Pursuit of Excellence
I’ve had the opportunity to converse with a couple of people about whether people or projects are more important. I’ve chatted with Kaarina Dillabough who says people are more important. I’ve had several interesting conversations with CJ Chilvers (Subscribe to his e-letter. It’s filled with wonderful words and links to interesting articles.). He, too, says that people are more important. He goes a step further than Kaarina or I have; he counters books like Turning Pro and films such as Jiro Dreams of Sushi. Both the film and the book are about pursuing one’s passion. Both the film and the book neglect the cost associated with pursuing one’s passion first and foremost: the people. Jiro’s family didn’t even recognize him; Pressfield’s became alienated from him.
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