Several times in probably countless number of occasions, we have either heard or told to step up. Well, to step up simply means "to be better." The meaning was so easy that we also easily forgot to do it. Today, we are on into "stepping up." What does it really mean?

In the past, we have performed something good and something not-so-good. Minus the not-so-good performances, we became the person that we deserve to be. Maybe, we got our promotions or achieve a certain career or business goal. But we became someone else: We became a better person, or at least that's how we felt.

Doing something good is probably one key ingredient so we can have a joyful life. In my personal study of the psychology of working people, salary isn't the number one reason why a certain person stays in the company and do the job. It's not even the fear of not finding a new job. It turned out that when people find satisfaction, they stay even if they don't get much money.

But companies must not be contented with their people working on the "good gear." Competitors are catching up and new players are coming to challenge every move and strategy that you make. Old companies are trying to revive the old times by jumping in on the use of new technology and they are getting younger people to do the job. It seems to me like everybody else is doing the same thing: To be good in what they do.

While excellence starts from being good—a good supplier, a good cashier, a good member of the family, a good clerk, good leadership, good management—it is important to understand the deeper meaning of stepping up before the world seems to step up.

You can't afford to be left behind.

Stepping up means leaving your excellent performances behind. It means reconfiguring your self so you can catch up with the demand of time. it means leaving your comfortable environment to navigate a newer way we do our business. It means growing up, learning from past experiences, gathering more tools, sharpening our minds, developing our talents, adding more skills, meeting new pe