How you do the next thing…

This phrase keeps popping up in stories that I read.

“How you do the next thing is likely how you’ll do everything.” 

I tried to find the original of that quote, but it seems to have been borrowed and shared quite a bit. I just know this for sure – I didn’t come up with it.

I’ve met many successful people. The really successful people bring their A-game with them at all times. The school PTO gets their A-game. So does their kids. So does their spouse. So does their work. 

What a strong habit! No need to turn on the switch, because it is welded in the “on” position. Big job. Small job. Important job. Trivial work. If they are going to do it, they do it the right way.

My Nittany Lions are doing this. They didn’t make the NCAA tournament. We rarely do.

We had a nice season but ended up in the NIT. There could have been a let-down. But the boys gave it their best, and they made the finals. They brought their A-game, even though they were disappointed.

I’ve written about this before. A Japanese man, Jiro, dreamed of making perfect sushi. It’s just sushi, right? Wrong. He sought perfection in everything he did. Selection of the best fish. The best recipes. And he became a legend doing a simple thing, perfectly.  Talk about bringing your A-game.

I wish I could say that I consistently bring my best. But I don’t.

But I can regroup, and take another shot at it. 

It is a habit I’d like to pick up.

Anthony Demangone

Anthony Demangone

Anthony Demangone is executive vice president and chief operating officer at the National Association of Federal Credit Unions (NAFCU). Demangone oversees day-to-day operations and manages the association’s education, membership, ... Web: https://www.cuinsight.com/partner/nafcu Details