I have long ago discovered the difference between success and defeat is going the extra mile.  Doing what most are unwilling to do.  One must take action instead of talking about taking action. Wake up every morning and hit the floor running instead of taking a leisurely walk around the block.  Crossing your t’s and dotting your i’s, as it is all about the details that will set you apart from the rest of the world.

I remember as a small child, I was given a job to do. Like most kids I was not very excited about having to give up playtime to do the job my mother had asked me to do.  So, I hurried through the job as quickly as I could – not dotting any i’s or crossing any t’s.  All I could think about, as most young kids, was getting back to playing outside, jumping rope or riding my bike.  When my mother saw the less than quality job I did, she lovingly hauled me back inside and made me do it again until it was done correctly.  She was using that moment as a teachable moment that would define how I would one day approach every task that I set out to do.  She was teaching me work ethic.

My husband and I have also used teachable moments to instill in our three girls the importance of giving 100 percent to everything that they do.  We have taught and modeled the importance of a work ethic, taking responsibility for your actions and taking pride in their work.  Those are the qualities in this job market today that will set you apart from all the rest.

Working here at Motion Marketing and Media and Capital Area Women’s LifeStyle Magazine, I have witnessed firsthand the work ethics my mother taught me years ago by my co-workers.  We work as a team and hit the floor running every day.  We cross our t’s and dot our i’s, show pride in our work and listen to our clients to make every detail correct. We want to make working with us a great experience. It makes me feel proud to say where I work.

Most importantly, our team gives back to our community.  In September we had our annual golf outing that has raised more than $11,000 for the Lansing City Rescue Mission Center for women and children throughout the past three years.  If you missed that event, you have the opportunity to attend and sponsor the 80’s Flashback Fundraiser to support the Reach Studio Art Center for adults and youth. This is the event everyone will be talking about!  So break out the 1980’s wardrobe – maybe it’s still in the back of your closet – and rat out your hair.  Now is your chance to have a place to wear that authentic 80’s wardrobe where no one will laugh at you – well, almost no one. Start working on those Saturday night fever dance moves in front of your mirror.  Remember, it’s going the extra mile – even when it comes to your wardrobe – that will set you apart – scrunches, fanny packs, leg warmers, parachute pants, acid washed denim skirts and a mean John Travolta dance move.

One of my favorite quotes : “Remember, it is the little things that make the biggest difference!”