Sally just got her annual performance appraisal at work. When she heard her supervisor say, “You’re overall rating is ‘Meets Expectations,” internally she started boiling over with anger. With more “temperature control” on the outside controlled by a Spirit-influenced “thermometer”, the internal fire on the inside was held in check. She tamed her tongue as best she could, but that did not make her speechless. Sally responded, “Are you kidding me? I have not missed a day’s work. When I am here, I give 100%. I do not create any problems in the workplace, never had and never will. So, why do I get a merely a ‘Meets Expectations’ rating?” The supervisor patiently responds in a perfect, matter-of-fact tone. “When we hired you, we employed you to do 100% of your work. That’s our expectation and you have done what we hired you to do. You have met our established standard for productivity and quality. You have work without disrupting or disturbing your department, and you have diligently produced work that meets our quite clear quality criteria. Yes, you have given 100%. I thank you, Sally. After pausing for a moment to hopefully allow time for sally to bask in the appreciative expressions, the supervisor continues. “But let me help you, so that going forward you can get an “Exceeds Expectations” rating. The definition is in the rating wording. You see, when you do 100%, you are meeting the expectations we have for everyone who is hired to do their job. Now, when you do more than our standards that have been set by our engineering standard professionals, you are exceeding expectations.” Sally’s internal temperature returned to normal. She understood and indicated so by saying, “Thank you for explaining that to me.”
This is your “Monday Short” (Smile!) meditation but let me make share something with you. Whether it is in your work situation, your school situation, your home situation, or your church work situation, don’t just meet expectations. Go beyond what is expected. Go beyond your normal routine. Go beyond expectations.
Start by thinking of what you can do to exceed expectations. Don’t think this is just for you, it applies to all of us. As a matter of fact, I have to stop writing to do something around the house that I don’t usually do to help out. Sorry to rush off, but I have to go beyond expectations, to the best of my ability. Have a magnificent Monday! Don’t just get by higher. (Hmmm! That sound like it could be a T-Shirt!) Be blessed!
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for people.” (Colossians 3:23 Good News Translation)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King