You can pass just about any subject in any US school with a score of 75% -- that's usually a good, solid "C" grade. But think how this same rule applies to your work performance if you are correct only three times out of four. You are working at an "average" level. You are content with just getting by.
Here's a musical example: play a C Major scale on the piano -- the notes are C - D - E - F - G - A - B - C. Sound good? Sure. Now play any two of those notes wrong. Sounds terrible, doesn't it? But that's a 75% performance. Not acceptable! If the Chicago Symphony Orchestra performed at the 75% level, they would sound worse than the Guckenheimer Sauerkraut Band -- and they sure wouldn't sell any tickets!
Would you hire a carpenter who built one bad cabinet for every three good ones? Would you want a surgeon who dropped every fourth stitch when sewing you up? Would you feel safe with an airline pilot who landed in the wrong city once in four trips? Of course not!
How does the 75% Rule apply to you? It's really simple: you, your colleagues or employees, your business ALL must perform well above that 75% mark, or you just won't make it in today's marketplace.
It begins with you - your vision, your expectations, your commitment to excellence. Ask yourself: how much is mediocrity costing you? As Aristotle put it, excellence is a habit, not a (one-time) act. Excellence takes work and commitment. Are you ready to get into the habit of excellence?
Coaching Moments:
1. Where in your life is the 75% Rule showing up?
2. What would it take for you to commit to a habit of excellence?
3. What one small step are you willing to take right now?
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