* When it comes to work, God’s favor gets you in the door but excellence will keep you there. 

  * God provides opportunities. 

  * We provide results. 

  * The better the results, the more opportunities we’ll have. 

* If you want excellence in your work, then make your work worship. 

  * Attempt to make God smile with your effort. 

* vs 10 - “If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success.”

  * Imagine trying to cut down a tree w/a dull blade. 

    * You work much harder, but not smarter. 

    * But if you sharpen the blade, you get more done in much less time. 

    * This is working smarter, not harder.  

  * Abe Lincoln - “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.”

* How do we stay sharp?  

  * We hone our skills. 

    * Hone = “to smooth and sharpen; refine or perfect over a period of time.” 

  * vs 10b - “…skill will bring success."  

    * A talent is something you’re born with. 

    * A skill is something you learn. 

    * Honing your skills will make you valuable.

* Question - what skills do you have that you can sharpen? 

  * Some of the best skills to have in the workplace: 

    * Be a good CONNECTOR. 

      * Learn how to be good w/people. 

      * Connect w/them - emotional intelligence. 

    * Be a good COMMUNICATOR. 

      * It starts w/listening to God - tuning in to hear His voice. 

      * Then, be a “fast” communicator w/your clients.  

      * Over-communicate with your customers. 

    * Be a good CUTTER. 

      * Always think in terms of what you can automate, eliminate, or delegate.  

      * This will allow you to scale your efforts and do more work in less time.

      * EX: Minimize Mouse Clicks.