I remember my first real job. I was sitting in the new employee orientation program. I was wearing my new uncomfortable shoes. Man, they were shiny. Hurt like hell…but shiny new…a moment in time…dreams of being extraordinary. The President of the Bank came in to talk with us. His shoes were even shinier than mine. He inspired me…and I thought one day I want to impact people like that. I want to shine…I too wanted to be extraordinary. However, how does one become extraordinary? How does one make a shiny difference in life and business?

On that day I knew I had much to learn. I still do…after 25 years of experience, mistakes, and willingness to be ordinary. What you say? Being ordinary…is the key to the extraordinary. I have seen myself and others go for extraordinary results on many occasions. Sometimes those results are attained and sometimes they are not. However, for most of my coaching clients and world class teams the Extra-Ordinary results have come from a consistent focus on the ordinary things that make business and life exceptional. I ask you to consider the freedom in the ordinary. I used to find that focus boring or less than adventuresome…and man oh man was I ever off course. I must say that even on the Wilderness trips that I have led the most amazing experiences came from a team of us devoted to the discipline of putting one foot in front of the other to summit our extraordinary peaks.

So if someone were to say to you. Are you an extraordinary person? You may swallow hard…and chirp out a vibrant YES….I too am special. Some part of us knows the beauty and power of Living as a Miracle Leader comes from the simple ordinary result of applying ourselves in a fearless fashion each and every day. Sure I think there are brief shining moments of glory as an Olympic athlete wins his 4th gold medal. That my friends is amazing…and it came from early morning swim meets…training day in and day out and ordinary thoughts .The question I pose is this: Are you willing to do ordinary things to have an exceptional result?

I find most people want the result without the effort or the focus. Don’t be a dummy…get real and consider the courage in the next step…the next swim and the simplicity of shiny old shoes. Today is a day of celebration. This is a day to celebrate the leadership of consistency. All of us can do that. One step, one thought, one integral moment of Grace at a time. I invite you to join me in creating something miraculous on this day from the very essence of your simplicity.