Concentrate on doing tasks with excellence

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Michael Ammons
  • 341st Mission Support Group
Someone once said, "If it is worth doing once, it is worth doing right." As one of the Air Force Core Values, "Excellence in All that We Do" is a must in today's transitioning Air Force. It is not just about doing things better or smarter. There are initiatives like AFSO21 that speak to that. "Excellence in All that We Do" - there is much more to this third core value every Airman must embrace. 

It is a value that must pervade every aspect of one's life. Whether on- or off-duty, in or out of uniform, every act must be accomplished with an attitude of excellence in mind. It must be an integral part of what we do and who we are - the very being of our person, day in and day out. 

Aristotle once said, "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." Excellence in our duty, excellence in our speech, excellence in our relationships - excellence in all that you do. It must be so ingrained in one's actions that it becomes second nature throughout life. 

Excellence then is not something left in the office at the end of the duty day or when the uniform is taken off to be picked up later or put on when duty calls. Excellence is the very heart of who one is. It does not matter one's status and level of responsibility. Whether an airman basic, a senior non-commissioned officer, a second lieutenant, or the highest ranking officer, excellence is a value that must permeate our every action without even a thought. 

I challenge every Airman to focus and concentrate on doing every task with excellence in mind. Let excellence saturate all that you do. It will surprise you just how much satisfaction can be found in everyday tasks and all that you do.