A-B-C-D-E

In the workplace, there is a lot of talk of people going ABCD i.e. Above and Beyond the Call of Duty. Last year I wrote a piece titled A-B-C-D* and this past summer, actually 5 weeks ago, I was blessed to listen to a Female Leader (@beojajuni) who talked about the A-B-C-D-E of a Total Woman.

I'll share some tidbits from her message and my comments will be in purple font:

 

Her text was Ephesians 2:10 - here's the Amplified Version:

For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art],

created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above - spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used]

for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set],

so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].

Attitude: She quoted Winston Churchill who said that Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference."

"A healthy attitude is contagious, but don't wait to catch it from others. Be a carrier." ~ Anonymous

When you think about Attitude @ Work and in life, you would agree with me as I agree with Walter Scott that "For success, attitude is equally as important as ability."

Beauty: She reminded us that everything God created is beautiful and we should all chose to see beauty in people and things around us.

"Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it." - Confucius

I like this definition of Beauty "Beauty is being the best possible version of yourself on the inside and out." (Unknown)

Another wise unknown person said: "You create beauty with your attitude, your behavior, your actions, it's all up to you." So there's a link between our attitude, our beauty and  our character. Let's talk about character now.

Character: She shared this definition - "it's a combination of features that distinguish who you are." She added that it cannot be hidden. Essentially, it is who you are and what will allow you remain in the "job." Our character must be consistent...

She also shared this quote (and substituted "Men" for "Women") - Men of genius are admired, men of wealth are envied, men of power are feared; but only men of character are trusted.**

Albert Einstein link our attitude and our character; he said: "Weakness of attitude becomes weakness of character."

Discipline: She said that often we talk about Diligence but it takes discipline to be diligent. She also quoted Jim Rohn who said: "Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment."

I like how she encapsulated this point by sharing Hebrews 12:11 -

For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems sad and painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness [right standing with God and a lifestyle and attitude that seeks conformity to God’s will and purpose]. (AMP)

Bottom line: When you are disciplined, you are determined.

This quote by Zig Ziglar connects 3 of the attributes well: "It was character that got us out of bed, commitment that moved us into action, and discipline that enabled us to follow through."

 

 Excellence: She told us that Excellence portrays discipline. And that since we serve an Excellent God so we must strive for excellence in all that we do. It must be a habit - not a happenstance.

And that ties to this quote attributed to Colin Powell "If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you develop the habit in little matters. Excellence is not an exception, it is a prevailing attitude."

She also quoted Ralph Marston who said:

"Excellence is not a skill, it's an attitude."

Just in case you didn't notice, we've come full circle...this last quote brings us back to "Attitude." 

As I wrap this up I'd like you to consider these 3 quotes (plus 1 question):

 

Your attitude determines your altitude. ~ Zig Ziglar
 

Your attitude is either the lock on, or the key to the door of success. ~ Denis Waitley

Attitudes are contagious. Are yours worth catching? ~ Dennis and Wendy Mannering

In addition to these, A-B-C-D-E also means Above and Beyond the Call of Duty Everyday for me. So consider your A-B-C-D-E and go A-B-C-D-E.

References:

* http://empowered-women-excel.blogspot.com/2015/08/a-b-c-d.html

** Quote attributed to Alfred Adler and Zig Ziglar and others whose names are in between A & Z