"Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp. Or what's a heaven for?"

Robert Browning had it right. We usually fall a little short of perfection in what we try to do. But reaching for the top is vital.

After all, if you aimed to have a million dollars in the bank and fell short with only nine hundred thousand, you would still be pleased. But if all you hope for is enough to pay the bills, and then you fall short--that's disaster.

No one sets out to be the worst salesperson in the company or the last person to complete their part of a project. But some people seem satisfied to be average. If you set the highest standards for yourself you may fall a little short. But you will still be great at whatever you do.

Remember:
Outstanding Standards = Great Results
Great Standards = Average Results
Average Standards = Poor Results