"Success isn't owned.  It's leased, and rent is due every day."  J.J. Watts, one of the best defensive players in the NFL said this, which was originally from a book called Take the Stairs by Rory Vaden.  

J.J. went on to say "Every single day someone's coming for your job, someone's coming for your greatness.  If you're the greatest, someone else wants to be the greatest.  So if you're not constantly improving your game, somebody else is.

Matthew McConaughey has a great video on YouTube where, in an acceptance speech, he talks about how his hero is always himself 10 years down the road. Both of these individuals have the same basic message. When you reach a pinnacle it's always tempting to sit on your laurels and bask in your accomplishment, but it's important to remember the old saying "its the journey and not the destination". The striving for success or accomplishments or greatness is that journey in this case.

There's nothing wrong with enjoying the celebration at the top, but don't make the celebration be the goal. We are all achieving and succeeding at things personally and as a company and will continue to do so, but never lose that fire in your soul, that desire to reach for greatness. If we can do that we'll never have to look back to see who is catching up to us as we strive for the pinnacle, because they probably won't even be on the right mountain.

...it's priceless.

Quality is the foundation of everything we do. Quality in products, in customer service, in care and investment of employees, in exceptional hiring and standing desks and fancy chairs and celebrating every employee's birthday...it's a mindset and a way of doing business that spills over to every aspect of the company.

Because you can't provide quality customer service and not provide quality treatment to employees, or create quality products without also providing top notch customer service...or at least you can't do these things with much trust or longevity. 

That's the burden, and gift, of basing your business plan on quality. It's not a give-and-take, come-and-go sort of thing - it's all or nothing. Those who operate under the false pretense of quality, but don't LIVE that as a core value in every aspect, will always be exposed. 

No one does top-to-bottom quality better than we do here at SlideBelts. This is our calling card, this is what sets us above the rest, and this is the most important quality - pun intended - to keep at the forefront of everything we do as we grow and reach new heights. Let's get it this week, team!

Happy Friday crusaders!

You have attacked the week with hard work and enthusiasm!  Now comes an essential part of your well-being. Taking a break to rest and take care of yourself. What sort of break will you take this weekend to help foster your happiness and get you re-energized?