I was talking with a friend of mine about his new business and his philosophy regarding doing things the right way. He passionately related his stance that it was imperative to their success that they correctly develop and deploy their game changing product. In essence “we have to do it RIGHT, not for right now.”
It made me think of the architects of the great pyramids, they too knew and understood this important fact. They took pain staking efforts with meticulous attention to detail making sure the foundations were done “the right way.” Why did they do this? Because they knew if the foundation was strong and true then they could, with complete confidence, build upon it and it would maintain it’s integrity. Now thousands of years later the pyramids stand as a testament to their wisdom.
So often, whether it be in sport, business or life we sacrifice the future for what we think is important right now. Instead of doing it the RIGHT way we choose the ever deceptive path of instant gratification. The irony of this situation lies in the fact that while we may feel gratified, even justified in our decision we only realize the error in our ways when it all comes tumbling down. Our choice for “RIGHT NOW” has sabotaged not only our own integrity but the integrity of the foundation so imperative to our future success. When we take our eyes off the prize we lose sight of our original vision. Because of our impatience and lack of discipline we sacrifice our dream of lasting greatness for what will turn out to be fleeting mediocrity.
William Shakespeare, in his poem “Lucrece,” eloquently depicted this very notion when he wrote: “What win I if I gain the thing I seek? A dream a breath a froth of fleeting joy? Who buys a minute’s myrrh to wail week or sells eternity to get a toy? For one sweet grape who would the vine destroy? Or what fond beggar but to touch the crown would with the scepter straight be struck down?” So ask yourself “is it worth it to destroy the entire vineyard for one sweet grape” and “What will I win/accomplish if I cut this corner or do…?” If we as individuals, teams, companies and families will hold true to our integrity and our vision of the future; specifically who we want to be, what we are striving to accomplish and how we want to be remembered, then we will do it, whatever “it” is, the right way.
The greatness of the pyramids lies not in their size nor number of two & a half ton blocks but in the design, decision & commitment to place each one with perfect precision. Thus enabling more to be safely and securely stacked higher. Nothing was sacrificed in their construction. So too should nothing be sacrificed in the construction of our current and future happiness, success, stability and greatness.
May we, like the ancient architects of the pyramids, leave a lasting legacy evident in our daily choices, accomplishments and lives!
DO IT RIGHT! DO YOUR BEST! DARE TO BE GREAT!
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