The motto of some people is “do just enough to get by.” When I read the Bible, I don’t see that as the guiding principle espoused by the leaders of the early church.

When you read the words of Paul in I Corinthians 9, you hear a call to excellence and a charge to go the extra mile: “Do you remember how, on a racing-track, every competitor runs, but only one wins the prize? Well, you ought to run with your minds fixed on winning the prize! Every competitor in athletic events goes into serious training. Athletes will take tremendous pains—for a fading crown of leaves. But our contest is for an eternal crown that will never fade. I run the race then with determination. I am no shadow-boxer, I really fight! I am my body’s sternest master, for fear that when I have preached to others I should myself be disqualified.”

Paul always gave it his all, and he was determined to do more than the minimum. As a scholar of the Old Testament, Paul was familiar with the writings of Solomon, and he lived the principle of Ecclesiastes 9:10: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might.”

Notice the last 5 words of the verse above—“do it with all your might.” Why not declare this first day of the work week as Mighty Monday? Make a pledge to yourself that you will start the week off by giving it all your might and carry it forward and make this a week of excellence.

Here are five simple things you can do to help you live life above “the minimum”:
• Park your road rage, and yield to someone on your drive to work.
• Open the door and share an encouraging word with someone.
• Refuse to focus on a person’s negatives and lift them up in prayer.
• Express your appreciation and gratitude to someone you know.
• Give someone a “cup of cold water” in Jesus name (Matthew 10:42).

You can approach each of these tasks with confidence because you are “His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works (Ephesians 2:10).”

Mighty Monday is here. Do more than the minimum—Be excellent!