"Where, when did we go wrong?"

"Eureka, I have found it" is an idiom that isn't heard very often. Perhaps the younger generation may not have heard it all. As a matter of fact, there are a lot of things the younger masses may never have heard. Some good, some bad.
For the longest time I thought the above expression had something to do with finding gold in California since it is the California State motto. But after a little research I found the phrase is attributed to Archimedes, an ancient Greek, who after discovering the principle of displacing water, ran through the streets naked shouting, "Eureka, Eureka".

Well, I'm not about to run through the streets naked, I wouldn't subject anyone to that sight, but I do think I have found the answer to when and where we went wrong.

What I am talking about is, "when did we begin to accept mediocrity in the workplace?"

When did we begin to accept showing up late for work?

When did we begin to accept half-assed completed projects?

When did we allow our "Great American Work Ethic" to replaced by sub-standard productivity?

Am I ranting?, You're damn right I am.

I've had enough of correcting people's mistakes for laziness in not wanting to do their job correctly.

All I am asking for is "trying" to do your best.

So, Eureka, Eureka, I have found the answer.

It's simple, it's like Archimedes, when he was enlightened.

We went wrong when we began to commit the same offenses that we now judge or criticize our peers and successors for doing, and as a result, we have begun to perfom well below our standard for competent, correct performance.

At least maybe I have. And for that I am ashamed and embarrassed.

I went wrong when I began to accept, "Well, that's how everybody else does it". I went wrong when I accepted laziness and heard, "I will do it tomorrow". I went wrong when I accepted that half-assed completed report.

I can't blame those who have fallen down on the job. That's all they have been shown.

I can't blame someone for not showing up for work when they are tired. That's all they have been shown.

I can't blame someone's unwillingness, to get the job done right and on time. That's all they have been shown.

And who is their teacher? It's me.

If I am to expect greatness, or at least above average, then I must perform that way myself.
I can no longer accept mediocrity. I must demand better than that. Each time I allow someone to give me unsatisfactory results, and I accept those results, I am teaching them to be substandard.

If I expect results, I must demand results. No less than that.

Whether it be poor service in a restaurant, poor customer service within a company, or poor decisions from management, it is my duty to confront the issue. To explain to them that I will longer accept poor quality.

When do we go wrong?. We went wrong when we caved in. We went wrong when we allowed ourselves to accept nothing but the best.

Today, I change the world. Tomorrow, I'll enjoy the benefits of that change.