Just do it!

I’m sure you’re familiar with this brand slogan developed more than 25 years ago. Nike significantly increased its market share following the introduction of this theme.

At my alma mater (Wartburg College, a small, liberal arts school in the Midwest), members of the wrestling program have heard a similar, but slightly different message for nearly the past 25 years.

“Do it anyway!”

Perhaps it’s because of my college affiliation, but “do it anyway” resonates with me more than “just do it.”

Every successful individual, team and company faces obstacles on their paths to greatness. What often separates winners from also-rans is the extra effort and determination to “do it anyway.”

Do it anyway demonstrates a personal commitment to the greater goals of the team.

Don’t want to make a tough client call? Do it anyway!

An employee doesn’t want to commit to challenging performance goals? Do it anyway!

A manager doesn’t want to address performance issues? Do it anyway!

As CEO, I bring my “do it anyway” attitude to work. I’m committed to taking actions that will make my company – and its employees – succeed. I bring it through gratitude, optimism and belief for our strategy and our people… by being genuine. And by not allowing time and perfection, our enemies, to take hold of the organization.

Your customers are asking you — expecting you — to do it anyway. To go the extra mile for them. To be courteous, respectful and helpful each and every day, regardless if you’re having a good day or a bad day.

How can you promote a “do it anyway” attitude? Review goals. Recommit to personal goals, professional aspirations, and your dreams. Bring your very best to work each day. And let each day be an opportunity to make an individual contribution to helping your organization succeed.

By the way, my alma mater’s wrestling program? Before “do it anyway,” Wartburg wrestling hadn’t won a conference title in 15 years and had never won a national title. Since “do it anyway?” Eleven national titles, 22 consecutive conference championships, and the Knights haven’t lost a conference dual meet since 1994.

Nearly all of the other athletic teams have also embraced this attitude, as Wartburg College has won 155 conference titles since 1992 and nine other national titles in that time frame … compared to 43 conference championships and no national titles from 1937 to 1991!

How will you “do it anyway”?