I travel and speak to women, as well as work with them during the week. So, I’m surrounded by women all the time. Younger ones, older ones, happy ones … uh, not so happy ones! (That last one would be me every now and then! Ha!)

And, what I have noticed is that I am not only surrounded by women, but I am surrounded by excellence!

Oh, girl, none of us are perfect. We all have our bad days. But in all of these women, I have seen some great qualities that make up an excellent woman.

So, inspired by an article I read by Rick Warren, here are four qualities that I believe every excellent woman possesses.

1. Excellent Women Step Up to the Plate

Women who excel give 100 percent to whatever they do. They bring the same effort, no matter how big or how little the task may be. Their goal is always to do their work “heartily.” They give it all they’ve got because they’re giving their all for the Lord.

Colossians 3:23 sums it up: “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men.”

When you and I step up to the plate and put our whole effort into whatever the task may be, we are proving that we have given our whole heart to God.

We show that our motivation for excellence is not for our own reputation, but for our Lord’s renown. Our life is a reflection of His life in us, and that is why we give our best to whatever we do.

2. Excellent Women Sharpen Their Ax

Ecclesiastes 10:10 says, “If the ax is dull, and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success.” Women who excel constantly sharpen their ax!

Think about it: if you are chopping down a tree with a dull ax, it will be tons harder and take lots longer. You will wear out before the job is finished!

If you and I don’t keep our axes sharp, we work longer and harder than we need to. In other words, if we don’t keep sharpening our skills, we will be less effective.

But women with excellence, work smarter. They never stop growing, learning, and improving. Instead, they pay the price to stay sharp. They don’t let themselves dull.

3. Excellent Women Stay True to Their Word

Do you remember those old infomercials about some kind of adhesive? I can’t remember the brand, but I sure remember their branding statement, “Set it and forget it!”

That is the best way to sum up what an excellent woman is like. You can trust her. She takes on a job, and she gets the job done. If you ask her to help and she says yes, then you can forget about it because she’s got it and it will get done.

Excellent women show integrity in all their ways. They live out Matthew 5:37, “Let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no.'” They say, “yes,” and then live the yes.

Excellent women “set it and forget it!”

4. Excellent Women Shine Like Stars

Women who excel are bright lights in this world. They always keep a positive attitude—no grumbles or complaints, no matter what. If you look up Philippians 2:14-15, you just may see their picture beside those verses!

“Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among who you appear as lights in the world.”

Oh, girl, a negative attitude never brings positive results, does it? But, when you smile while others frown, you show excellence. When you don’t groan while those around you grumble, you show excellence.

When you think “yes,” instead of thinking “no,” you are shining bright. Negativity just makes things worse and brings out the worst. So, shine, shine, shine with your bright, positive, think yes attitude!

Excellence is not the same thing as perfection. You and I will never be perfect. Sometimes we may falter, but we can still have excellent attitudes, sharpen our axes, step up to the plate, and try again! That way we shine!

So, let’s be women of excellence. Let’s do what we do with gusto, always willing to give it our all.

Let’s stay sharp and stay true to our word. And, let’s be lights in this world so our attitudes and actions lead others to the Light of the World.

Do you know a woman of excellence? Share why you’re grateful for her today.