The Last Word

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Morning Boys, 

This year our school's theme is 100% everyday.

Not some days.

Not only when it suits you.

Not only when someone is watching.

But bringing effort and a positive attitude to everything we do, every day.

That idea connects perfectly to one of our schools values: Excellence 

And Excellence doesn’t mean being perfect. It doesn’t mean being the smartest person in the room or the most talented person on the field.

Excellence is about striving for personal growth, curiosity, discipline and the pursuit of your potential.

In simple terms it’s about trying to be better than you were yesterday.

If I’m being honest, I know I’ve fallen into the trap of doing the bare minimum. I think a lot of us have. We aim to pass instead of improve. We aim to get through the class instead of getting something out of it.

But when we live at the level of  “just enough” we also live below our potential. 

100% every day is about shifting that mindset.

In class that could look like asking questions instead of staying quiet. Proof reading your work 1 more time. Or actually revising instead of just hoping for the best. 

In sport and training it’s the same idea.

Anyone can train when they feel motivated. Anyone can work hard when things are going well.

Excellence is showing discipline when it’s hard.

It’s doing the extra rep.

The extra sprint.

The stretch you don’t want to do.

The session you show up to that’s not compulsory. 

Here’s a quick example.

Imagine 2 people with the same ability.

One does what is required, the other one does what's required…plus a little bit more.

At first, they look the same.

But over time that effort adds up. Not because one is more talented, but because one chose a higher standard. 

That’s what 100% everyday is all about. Not being better than others but being better than you yesterday. We don’t control everything in life. But we do control our effort, our attitude and the standard we set for ourselves.

So my challenge to all of you, including myself, is this.   Stop asking, what’s the minimum I need to do? And start asking yourself, what does excellence look like for me? Because when you commit to 100% every day, you won’t always be perfect, but you will always be growing. 

So lets choose excellence, lets choose effort, and lets give 100% every day

Thank you.