BY JEFF CORBETT

Steve Goodier, in “Do Something Great,” tells the story of how President Abraham Lincoln would often leave the White House to attend Wednesday evening services at New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, led by the noted Dr. Phineas Gurley.

Lincoln preferred to not be noticed, so he gave Dr. Gurley advance notice of his attendance, and the minister would leave his study open. The pastor’s study adjoined the sanctuary, and from there Lincoln could hear the sermon in private.

After one such evening, while walking back to the White House, an aide inquired of Lincoln’s thoughts on the sermon.

After a moment of thought, Lincoln responded, “The content was excellent, he delivered with eloquence, and it was obvious he had put hard work into creating his message.”

The aide quizzed back, “So you thought it was excellent?”

To which Lincoln answered: “No.”

Puzzled, the aide pressed for an explanation. “But you just said it reflected much work, that Dr. Gurley was eloquent, and his content was meaningful.”

“Yes, that is true,” the president replied. “But he forgot the most important thing. He forgot to challenge us to do something great.”

Review Your Values

It is so easy to get into a rut, which over time becomes mindless routine, and one day you wake up to see you’ve been sleepwalking through life.

Imagine this: Without your knowledge, your entire day-to-day life is videotaped for a whole week. It is to air on a reality show.

When it does, what will the world see? What kind of person will this documentary portray you to be?

From the time you get up in the morning until you go to bed at night, you write that day’s script by how you treat others, keep promises, improve yourself, and make your corner of the world a better place.

How would you stack up in this rating system advanced in Dear Abby: “The best index to a person’s character is how they treat people who can’t do them any good, and how they treat people who can’t fight back.”

Challenge Yourself

Rewind to your reality show. What one thing would you change?

Would your life be richer, more fulfilling, more peaceful, or happier by making this change? If the answer is yes, what’s holding you back?

Never Cut Corners

Never, ever compromise yourself or do less than your very best. Autograph your work with consistent excellence.

Michelangelo spent six long years in the Sistine Chapel, painting on his back. When he finished, he was nearly blind from the paint that had dripped into his eyes, and his health was destroyed.

He was once asked why he gave so much time, attention, and detail to an obscure corner of the chapel ceiling that few would ever see.

“But God will see,” he replied.

Your personal standards define the quality of your life, and the work you do defines your reputation. You never know who will see it — so always insist on your personal best.

Challenge yourself daily and hold yourself personally accountable for both your successes and failures.

Listen to the late Jerry Garcia: “You do not want to be considered just the best of the best. You want to be considered the only one who does what you do.”

Now get started!

Jeff Corbett is an experienced public speaker, meeting facilitator and sales/marketing professional. He lives in Statesville.