Always Over Deliver
by Michael S. Tyrrell
August 11, 2020
Happy Tuesday Wholetonians!
Have you ever been tempted to take a shortcut when completing a task for someone? Was there a time when you were asked to complete a task for someone and you went the extra mile? Which of the two, in the end gave you the most satisfaction and sense of accomplishment?
I don’t know about you, but there is nothing more rewarding for me than to hear the words, “well done” after completing a task. One day, all of us will have an opportunity to hear those words spoken by the One who gave us breath in regards to how we lived our lives on earth.
A few years ago, my wife, Lillian and I joined some close friends for a trip aboard a chartered “power catamaran” to the British Virgin Islands. My dear friend Barry and I love to share the first mate duties of tying off lines, gaffing mooring balls, securing the anchor, tying the bumpers, etc. One afternoon, our wonderful captain, called me to the dock and said, “Come here Mike. I want to show you something.” The captain pointed down the dock and said, “look at how these other chartered yachts are tied off. You can tell these people don’t care.” He exclaimed, “Now look how you and Barry tied off this yacht. You guys do everything with excellence, mon! That is how it is supposed to be, mon! I tell you, well done! You make my job easy!”
You see, for me and Barry…there was no alternative, no short cut, because we both believe it takes less time to do a job right the first time and always over deliver! There is a saying in the car rental industry, “they drove it like a rental,” which means the car was returned in an abused condition because the renters didn’t care about the car because it wasn’t their personal property. In my neighborhood, you can easily determine which of the homes are rented and which of them are owned by their appearance. You see, if a person lacks integrity they will usually neglect something that is rented because they have no “skin” in the game, and to them the item in question is merely a temporary end to their means. I believe whether something belongs to us or is merely borrowed or rented by us it should be treated with respect and returned in as good or even better condition than it was when we received it.
Many years ago, I began running a personal “diagnostic” test on myself that I have faithfully continued to the present. This diagnostic is comprised of two questions that I ask myself daily. I do not leave the house nor engage in business until I have answered them…honestly. Here are those two questions: 1) Why do you do what you do? 2) Who do you do them for?
The answer is the same for both questions…Jesus! For me, there can be no other answer, no substitute. There is an audience of One and I live to hear Him whisper, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” You see, the misconception that empowers people to cut corners, do a halfway job, or under deliver is obvious. They believe that no one is watching them work. The truth however, is that we are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses; the chief one being God Himself.
The Bible admonishes us that in everything we do, do it unto the Lord. That is why at Wholetones we always over deliver, go the extra mile, and aim for excellence because we have a higher standard than traditional business to uphold. What is done is done unto the Lord. It isn’t always easy… nothing worthwhile ever is. But it is ALWAYS the right way to conduct our business.
Thank you for helping me “stay the course.” It is people like you that help me on this journey…and I am moved by your continued patronage and support.
Until next time…
Be Whole,
Michael S. Tyrrell
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