The word diligence includes such qualities as hard work, honesty, persistence and striving for excellence. I like the way the New Living Translation of the Bible puts it: “Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper.” (Proverbs 13:4) One expert says, “Success doesn’t come from being 100% better than your competition, but from being 1% better in 100 different ways.”
Columnist Dale Dauten says, “If you want to be creative in your company, your career or your life, it comes down to one easy step… the extra one. When you encounter a familiar plan, you just ask one question: ‘What else could we do?'” To succeed you’ll have to do more— more than you may want, more than your competition, more than you think you’re capable of.
I love this poem by William Arthur Ward: “I will do more than belong— I will participate. I will do more than care— I will help. I will do more than believe— I will practice. I will do more than be fair— I will be kind. I will do more than forgive— I will forget. I will do more than dream— I will work. I will do more than teach— I will inspire. I wil do more than learn— I will enrich. I will do more than give— I will serve. I will do more than live— I will grow. I will do more than suffer— I will triumph.”
You can’t do what’s easiest and still reach your goal. You must do more. You must do whatever it takes.
