There is no ‘doing your best’ on this one . . .

By Don Shin

While reading Tim Tebo’s book, Mission Possible recently, I came upon a Winston Churchill quote that went like this: “It is no use saying, ‘we are doing out best.’ You have got to succeed in doing what is necessary.” Have you ever met a Marine? All the services are great, and I thank all who’ve made those sacrifices whatever the branch of the armed forces. But Marines will always tell you failure is not an option.

I feel that way about the 4-generation impact I want to leave. I don’t ever want someone to say simply, ‘oh, well he was doing his best.’ Nope. I want people to see that I’ve succeeded in impacting the generations to come.

We have to make each day matter. We have to be ready when the opportunity arises. When it comes to my family, when it comes to the generations to come after me, “showing up” is just not enough. Doing my best, not enough.

In Tim’s book he says that a work ethic is pointless without a purpose. I really like that. I’ve always felt like I had a good work ethic. My parents were great examples. But this hit me differently. So, do you think you have an awesome work ethic? Then what’s your purpose?

I was recently listening to a recording of a Francis Chan sermon. He was preaching on the parable of the Great Feast in Luke 14. And it struck me that I hear the same kinds of ‘excuses’ that He heard! Life is just too busy right now, family things are tying me down, I have my career to think of first . . . All of these followed by, “but I want to do it . . . I’ll get to it at some point.”

If you want to have a generational, a MULTI-generational impact, then this one thing is a must succeed. You need to be sure they understand the invitation God is giving them. The Creator of the Universe, the Sovereign, all knowing God, invites everyone into His family. If you want to be a legacy-leaving grandfather or great grandfather, or like me a great great grandfather, your kids and their kids and their kid’s kids need to get this one right. No excuses. There is no better offer in life.

So, I challenge you. What one thing could you do today that would make a difference in the next generation? What one conversation do you need to have, or at least start? What one phone call needs to be made, now? Don’t put off to tomorrow what you can do today. Proverbs 27 tells us we do not know what tomorrow may bring . . . And Luke 12, where a man’s life was demanded of him. Have no regrets that you could have done something different. That you should have taken some action and you didn’t.

Legacy living is life-altering living. There is no place for ‘doing my best’ but rather, just for succeeding.

Don Schin has extensive global experience in Asia with Fortune 500 companies. He speaks fluent Japanese. After stepping out of the corporate rat race 23 years ago he now owns a franchise broker and consulting company. Don is a seasoned professional speaker and writer, authoring the book, Can you Relate? sharing a map of his most successful years in business, so others can experience the same. Don is active in his community where his time is devoted to men’s groups, local churches, and non-profit boards including recent past chair of the Bethesda Mission, the largest rescue mission in Harrisburg, PA. He also served as the chaplain for an AA baseball team via Baseballchapel.org. Don enjoys spending time with his wife, Kim, of 45 years. They have two grown children and seven grandchildren.

Feature Photo see Ledoux