The Dallas Cowboys were 1-7 going into Sunday’s matchup against arguably the best team in the NFC. In their first game under new coach Jason Garrett, they played like an entirely different football team than what we have seen all year. They looked like the talented, confident, and proficient team that we expected to see going into this season. They played with a swagger – and they believed they could win. They looked… GREAT.

What made the difference between yesterday’s performance and the lackluster shellacking they took from the Green Bay Packers last Monday night?

The first thing Jason Garrett did after taking over the helm this week was to remind all his players that in order to have a great Sunday, you have to start with a great practice on Wednesday. Then give yourself to greatness on Thursday, show up with excellence on Friday, and so on and so forth. There seems to be a method to what the new coach is doing. The process, as he refers to it, is about stacking one “great day” on top of the other. Be great everyday so that you can be great in the big moment on Sunday.

If we don’t give ourselves to excellence in the ordinary moments of life, we will lack the excellence and ultimately squander opportunities in the extraordinary moments of life.

Excellence on the small stage of life leads to greatness on the big stage of opportunity.

In other words, wherever you find yourself today, give yourself to excellence in that place. Wherever you are, BE ALL THERE! Don’t wait for the BIG stage tomorrow.

Do the little things that build momentum in your life today: offer kindness, practice generosity, spend quality time with God, invest in relationships, serve others, love your kids by giving them your TIME, take time to listen to your spouse, reconnect with that friend you’ve been putting off, make that phone call, start that exercise program, begin the business plan…

Give yourself to EXCELLENCE today – it will give you something to build on when tomorrow comes.