What does it mean to be exceptional? What does it take to get there? How does one measure exceptional performance? Are some people born to be exceptional? Is it a genetic gift or, is it possible that we all have an opportunity and ability to carry that label? How you view the answers to these questions is important, maybe even life changing. The real questions should be – do you want to be exceptional?

We can all list those individuals who are considered exceptional in their genre: The food writer M.K. Fisher, guitarists Jeff Beck or John McLaughlin, drummers Neil Pert or Steve Gadd, golfer Tiger Woods, quarterbacks Tom Brady or Josh Allen, authors Dan Brown or James Patterson, chefs Dominique Creen or Thomas Keller, etc. Our personal lists can go on and on, but what about your local electrician or plumber, bus driver or landscaper, doctor or dentist, line cook or dishwasher? Anyone and everyone can be exceptional at what they do – if they want to be.

Bryan Miller, the comic writer for the TV series “Smallville” once said:

“The qualities of an exceptional cook are akin to those of a successful tightrope walker: an abiding passion for the task, courage to go out on a limb and an impeccable sense of balance. “

And of course, the commitment to build the necessary skills that the job demands.

Have you witnessed the work of an exceptional employee at your local hardware store, the masterfully crafted classes of a high school creative writing teacher or tech ed teacher in a shop or metal work class? Exceptional people are everywhere if you take time to look and being exceptional is within your grasp if you correctly answer that foundational question: “Do you want to be exceptional.”

Great restaurants are built on the attitudes of great employees and need not be reserved for just those operations with the most complex, high-end plates of food and elegant dining rooms. Exceptionally minded people can turn a barbeque joint into a destination, a hot dog stand into a reason for a drive, a taco food truck into a business where people line up around the block to sit on a park bench and relish homemade tortillas with batter fried haddock and that special sauce. Sure, the French Laundry and Eleven Madison can remain exceptional at a different level, but just like the taco stand, they earn that exceptional status because the people who work there want it to be so and are willing to do whatever is needed to make it happen.

We have all heard live music performed by a band that is crazy good even though only a few have ever heard of them. They may not have name familiarity, but they do boast musicians who choose to put forth the effort to be exceptional and hope that someday, someone will recognize just how good they are. The same is true in many restaurants from coast to coast – you know, the ones that make you shake your head and say, “man this food is incredible.” It’s not necessarily because the have treasured vendors that treat them like exclusive clients or because they have state-of-the-art kitchens, or even an extraordinary location – it’s because the people who work there choose to be exceptional.

So, what’s the secret? What do you need to do to become exceptional? It’s not as hard as one might think, but in all cases these steps and accompanying attitude must remain core to who you are.

[]       FIND YOUR BENCHMARKS

Who do you want to be like? What are the characteristics of their exceptionalism? How did they get there?

[]       COMMIT TO BUILDING THE SKILLS

What skills will you need to reach or exceed your benchmark’s exceptional performance? How will I approach building those skills and what discipline will be required?

[]       SEEK OUT CRITIQUE

Find others willing to provide honest critique and support, once the critique is offered. Measure your journey and be willing to embrace the suggestions offered.

[]       NEVER, EVER LET MEDIOCRITY SLIP IN

Don’t be tempted to take the easy way out or the shortcut “just this once.” Stay true to your commitment.

[]       RELISH WHAT YOU DO

Have fun, enjoy the ride, smile when things don’t go as planned but then get serious about making necessary corrections.

[]       SUPPORT THOSE AROUND YOU

Know that your journey is not a lonesome one. Depend on others, support them as they will you, and emphasize that “exceptional” is a team effort.

[]       CREATE YOUR NETWORK OF EXCEPTIONAL INFLUENCE

Find mentors and role models who exemplify exceptionalism and who are willing to encourage, support, critique, and teach you, what they know.

You know you are there when EXCEPTIONAL is no longer a destination, but rather the way that you approach everything. Join the club and become an active member.

PLAN BETTER – TRAIN HARDER – BE EXCEPTIONAL

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