“If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.” -Zig Ziglar
Ready. Aim. Fire.
That’s the standard way to shoot at a target. How many people actually follow these steps?
How many have you seen following other sequences:
Ready. Fire. Aim.
Fire. Fire. Fire.
Aim. Aim. Aim. Aim.
Ready… Ready… Ready… (now what?)
Ready. Aim. Aim. Aim. Aim. Aim. Fire? Fire?
Life is a series of choices. A series of challenges. A series of what if’s.
It’s impossible to know the true definition of “ready” in a life of endless possibility. One can spend a lifetime “getting ready” for an outcome that may, or may not, happen. The truth is, we are never fully ready.
What if getting ready isn’t the first step? What if pursuing excellence is?
Excellence in whatever we do. Excellence in the way we look at life. Excellence in our contribution. Excellence in the way we treat others. Excellence in our expectations of ourselves and others. When excellence is the target, the other steps become clear.
Pursue excellence. Ready. Aim. Fire. Adjust. Pursue excellence. Repeat.
Does excellence mean perfection? No. Pursuing perfection is a fool’s errand. The good news is that by pursuing excellence we get a glimpse of perfection from time to time.
The target isn’t the real reward anyway. That comes from the pursuit itself.