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Excellence
#1 New York Times bestselling author Joel Osteen helps readers achieve new levels of success and hope in their lives, no matter their current circumstances.
You were created to be a cut above, to stand out in a crowd, and rise above average to exceptional. Indeed, the only way to be truly happy and successful is to live with a commitment to excellence and integrity in all you do.
Favor, increase, promotion, and reaching your highest potential are all tied to a spirit of excellence. When you strive to be excellent, you’re always taking steps to grow, to make the most of every opportunity, to go the extra mile. You do your best and do what’s right whether anyone is watching or not.
When you live a life of excellence, you will outperform, outclass, and outshine, and God will promote you and set you in a place of honor.
This compact digest by #1 New York Times bestselling author JOEL OSTEEN helps you to keep improving, to stay focused, to stay passionate, and to make a habit of excellence. He encourages readers to get out of their comfort zones and make the rest of their life the best of their life.
Joel can be heard 24/7 on SiriusXM 128—Joel Osteen Radio. Connect with Joel on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit his website at joelosteen.com.
Derived from material previously published in You Can, You Will, The Power of I Am, and Break Out!
You were created to be a cut above, to stand out in a crowd, and rise above average to exceptional. Indeed, the only way to be truly happy and successful is to live with a commitment to excellence and integrity in all you do.
Favor, increase, promotion, and reaching your highest potential are all tied to a spirit of excellence. When you strive to be excellent, you’re always taking steps to grow, to make the most of every opportunity, to go the extra mile. You do your best and do what’s right whether anyone is watching or not.
When you live a life of excellence, you will outperform, outclass, and outshine, and God will promote you and set you in a place of honor.
This compact digest by #1 New York Times bestselling author JOEL OSTEEN helps you to keep improving, to stay focused, to stay passionate, and to make a habit of excellence. He encourages readers to get out of their comfort zones and make the rest of their life the best of their life.
Joel can be heard 24/7 on SiriusXM 128—Joel Osteen Radio. Connect with Joel on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit his website at joelosteen.com.
Derived from material previously published in You Can, You Will, The Power of I Am, and Break Out!
126 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 4, 2024
About the author
Joel Osteen
551 books1,710 followersJOEL OSTEEN is the author of seven New York Times bestsellers. He is the senior pastor of America's largest congregation, Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. More than 45,000 people attend services there every week. His televised messages are seen by more than 10 million viewers each week in the United States, and millions more in 100 nations around the world. His 24-hour channel on SiriusXM Satellite Radio and millions of social media followers have prompted numerous publications to name him as one of the most influential Christian leaders in the world. He resides in Houston with his wife, Victoria, and their children.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 2, 2024
Excellence by Joel Osteen Book Review
In Excellence, Joel Osteen encouraged readers to be people of excellence and to follow God with great character and integrity. Mediocrity is being more popular and people prefer to do the bare minimum to just get by. We would rather be average. Some may even be slacking off or arriving late to work. He instructed us to not follow the crowd and to take pride into our own work. Joel explained how instead God has called us to be above and to be people of excellence and integrity. In the work setting, we should be a model employee for our company. We should be on time, have a great attitude, and going above and beyond. The new trainee should be able to look up to us for guidance. Scriptures even declare how if a solider tells us to carry his gear for one mile we should instead carry it for two and be good steward. Joel even went on to share how he chooses to rewatch his online services. He personally helps his video editor to edit his sermons before they are broadcasted on TV. He studies each one to see what he could improve on and also the lighting and camera angles. He doesn’t want people to become stagnant. In the book, he reminded readers that they represent God and should be people of excellence. This applies to our appearance and work ethic. This book is a small compact book with a mixture of some of the material found in You Can, You Will, The Power of I Am, and Break Out.
One of my favorite examples he used was about a young man who had a dream of being a professional football player. He did well in school and performed great at the sport. He was just a little shorter than the coaches thought he should be. They didn’t think he had what it took in college sports. He went to a junior college and worked delivering pizza. He quit football completely. He delivered it one day to a family and a ten year old boy asked him why he was delivering pizza. He thought about the boys comments and then he got his motivation back and started training again. He gained about 70 pounds and grew stronger. He tried out for a major university and worked his way up to a star player. He went on to become an NFL player. Joel asked readers if they had settled for less than God’s plan for you. He explained how we are created to be the head and not the tail. We need believe that we are well equipped to handle whatever we need to do.
Another impactful story was about a professor who was handing out tests for his students. He decided to provide with a special incentive as their last test. They could hand in the test and get an automatic C and they wouldn’t have to take the test. About half of the test opted to take that route. The rest of the students were given the test and he encouraged them and told them he was proud of their hard work. When they flipped over the test, it told them they made an A. Joel instructed readers to be the second group and to strive for excellence. The A’s would have been worth the risk if they would have only believed.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is seeking encouragement and they are ready to have a spirit and mindset of excellence. I appreciated how real he was in sharing how we shouldn’t be settling for less than God’s best. We need to be on time at work and having a positive attitude that we are working for God. He encouraged readers to not slack off and to focus on work when we are supposed to be working. We can choose to not settle for mediocre instead we can go above and beyond. He shared how he picks up trash he finds in his church and how we don’t need to become so big that we don’t help others. I really enjoyed how this book was a compilation of three of his different books and it’s very easy to study the principles enclosed in this book.
I received this book free from Faith Words for my honest review.”
In Excellence, Joel Osteen encouraged readers to be people of excellence and to follow God with great character and integrity. Mediocrity is being more popular and people prefer to do the bare minimum to just get by. We would rather be average. Some may even be slacking off or arriving late to work. He instructed us to not follow the crowd and to take pride into our own work. Joel explained how instead God has called us to be above and to be people of excellence and integrity. In the work setting, we should be a model employee for our company. We should be on time, have a great attitude, and going above and beyond. The new trainee should be able to look up to us for guidance. Scriptures even declare how if a solider tells us to carry his gear for one mile we should instead carry it for two and be good steward. Joel even went on to share how he chooses to rewatch his online services. He personally helps his video editor to edit his sermons before they are broadcasted on TV. He studies each one to see what he could improve on and also the lighting and camera angles. He doesn’t want people to become stagnant. In the book, he reminded readers that they represent God and should be people of excellence. This applies to our appearance and work ethic. This book is a small compact book with a mixture of some of the material found in You Can, You Will, The Power of I Am, and Break Out.
One of my favorite examples he used was about a young man who had a dream of being a professional football player. He did well in school and performed great at the sport. He was just a little shorter than the coaches thought he should be. They didn’t think he had what it took in college sports. He went to a junior college and worked delivering pizza. He quit football completely. He delivered it one day to a family and a ten year old boy asked him why he was delivering pizza. He thought about the boys comments and then he got his motivation back and started training again. He gained about 70 pounds and grew stronger. He tried out for a major university and worked his way up to a star player. He went on to become an NFL player. Joel asked readers if they had settled for less than God’s plan for you. He explained how we are created to be the head and not the tail. We need believe that we are well equipped to handle whatever we need to do.
Another impactful story was about a professor who was handing out tests for his students. He decided to provide with a special incentive as their last test. They could hand in the test and get an automatic C and they wouldn’t have to take the test. About half of the test opted to take that route. The rest of the students were given the test and he encouraged them and told them he was proud of their hard work. When they flipped over the test, it told them they made an A. Joel instructed readers to be the second group and to strive for excellence. The A’s would have been worth the risk if they would have only believed.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is seeking encouragement and they are ready to have a spirit and mindset of excellence. I appreciated how real he was in sharing how we shouldn’t be settling for less than God’s best. We need to be on time at work and having a positive attitude that we are working for God. He encouraged readers to not slack off and to focus on work when we are supposed to be working. We can choose to not settle for mediocre instead we can go above and beyond. He shared how he picks up trash he finds in his church and how we don’t need to become so big that we don’t help others. I really enjoyed how this book was a compilation of three of his different books and it’s very easy to study the principles enclosed in this book.
I received this book free from Faith Words for my honest review.”
March 11, 2026
Sharing some of the points from the book: it was a quick and easy read that was a good reminder not to operate from a place of average.
For many people, mediocrity is the norm; they want to do as little as they possibly can and still get by. But God did not create us to be mediocre or average.
*****
God has called us to be a cut above. He’s called us to stand out in the crowd, to be people of excellence and integrity
*****
What does it mean to be a person of excellence? When you have a spirit of excellence, you do your best whether anyone is watching or not. You go the extra mile. You do more than you have to. Other people may complain about their jobs. They may go around looking sloppy and cutting corners. Don’t sink to that level. Everyone else may be slacking off at work, compromising in school, letting their lawns go, but here’s the key: You are not everyone else. You take pride in your work and in who you are. God wants you to set the highest standard.
*****
You should be the model employee for your company.
*****
Your boss and your supervisors should be able to say to the new hires, “Watch him. Learn from her. Pick up the same habits. Develop the same skills. This person is the cream of the crop, always on time, has a great attitude, and does more than what is required.”
*****
When you have an excellent spirit like that, you will not only see promotion and increase but you are honoring God.
*****
it honors God just as much to get to work on time. It honors God to be productive. It honors God to look good each day.
When you are excellent, your life gives praise to God. That’s one of the best witnesses you can have.
*****
Some people will never go to church. They never listen to a sermon. They’re not reading the Bible. Instead, they’re reading your life. They’re watching how you live. Now don’t be sloppy. When you leave the house, whether you’re wearing shorts or a three-piece suit, make sure you look the best you possibly can. When you go to work, don’t slack off and don’t give a half-hearted effort. Give it your all. Do your job to the best of your ability. You’re representing Almighty God. You should be so full of excellence that other people want what you have.
*****
“Don’t just meet the minimum requirements. Do more than is expected. Go the extra mile.” That’s the attitude you need to have: I’m not doing just what I have to.
For many people, mediocrity is the norm; they want to do as little as they possibly can and still get by. But God did not create us to be mediocre or average.
*****
God has called us to be a cut above. He’s called us to stand out in the crowd, to be people of excellence and integrity
*****
What does it mean to be a person of excellence? When you have a spirit of excellence, you do your best whether anyone is watching or not. You go the extra mile. You do more than you have to. Other people may complain about their jobs. They may go around looking sloppy and cutting corners. Don’t sink to that level. Everyone else may be slacking off at work, compromising in school, letting their lawns go, but here’s the key: You are not everyone else. You take pride in your work and in who you are. God wants you to set the highest standard.
*****
You should be the model employee for your company.
*****
Your boss and your supervisors should be able to say to the new hires, “Watch him. Learn from her. Pick up the same habits. Develop the same skills. This person is the cream of the crop, always on time, has a great attitude, and does more than what is required.”
*****
When you have an excellent spirit like that, you will not only see promotion and increase but you are honoring God.
*****
it honors God just as much to get to work on time. It honors God to be productive. It honors God to look good each day.
When you are excellent, your life gives praise to God. That’s one of the best witnesses you can have.
*****
Some people will never go to church. They never listen to a sermon. They’re not reading the Bible. Instead, they’re reading your life. They’re watching how you live. Now don’t be sloppy. When you leave the house, whether you’re wearing shorts or a three-piece suit, make sure you look the best you possibly can. When you go to work, don’t slack off and don’t give a half-hearted effort. Give it your all. Do your job to the best of your ability. You’re representing Almighty God. You should be so full of excellence that other people want what you have.
*****
“Don’t just meet the minimum requirements. Do more than is expected. Go the extra mile.” That’s the attitude you need to have: I’m not doing just what I have to.
September 4, 2025
This book by bestselling author Joel Osteen is derived from material previously published in You Can, You Will, The Power of I Am, and Break Out! In it, he discusses how we should keep improving, stay focused, stay passionate, and make a habit of excellence. He encourages readers to get out of their comfort zones and make the rest of their life the best of their life.
This Christian book seemed more like a pep talk between the reader and the author. I love listening and reading Joel Osteen because he is so positive. Personally, I have been through many challenges recently, and whenever I open up one of his books or listen to one of his sermons I feel like things can change for the better. Thank you, Pastor Osteen, for helping me let go of the past and look towards a more favorable future. Thanks to Faith Words and NetGalley for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.
This Christian book seemed more like a pep talk between the reader and the author. I love listening and reading Joel Osteen because he is so positive. Personally, I have been through many challenges recently, and whenever I open up one of his books or listen to one of his sermons I feel like things can change for the better. Thank you, Pastor Osteen, for helping me let go of the past and look towards a more favorable future. Thanks to Faith Words and NetGalley for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.
March 31, 2024
Excellence by Joel Osteen is a digest composed of previously published material, and as such is a quick, motivating read. After finishing one of Pastor Osteen's books, I am always inspired to live a more faithful life, and this tome is especially hopeful. I expect to purchase and gift copies of Excellence to friends and family who need encouragement to keep striving for excellence and not get discouraged when met with obstacles. Osteen has a positive, encouraging message that is applicable to whatever stage you currently are in your life, and gives small, actionable steps to becoming the best you can be.
Thank you to Faithwords and Netgalley for the digital ARC of Excellence by Joel Osteen. The opinions in this review are my own.
Thank you to Faithwords and Netgalley for the digital ARC of Excellence by Joel Osteen. The opinions in this review are my own.
February 21, 2026
In this book, the author delivers a motivational guide that challenges readers to reject mediocrity and actively pursue greatness in every facet of their lives. The author argues excellence not merely as a pathway to personal success, but as a profound way to honor God, arguing that going the extra mile, taking pride in one's work and appearance, and continuously sharpening one's skills are deeply spiritual acts. Structured around five core directives—committing to excellence, refusing to settle for "good enough," keeping a mindset of continuous growth, staying fiercely focused by auditing one's time and relationships, and maintaining a vibrant passion—the book offers practical, faith-based advice for everyday living.
July 1, 2024
Wow this book was so inspiring and just what I needed today - not a coincidence I know that for sure! Don’t miss out on this one - you will walk away with the drive to push forward in every aspect of your life!
September 6, 2024
I do not think you can ever go wrong with Joel Osteen and his new book Excellence is just that...Excellent. He is so motivating and really makes you believe you can do anything. He offers simple steps on how to achieve Excellence while honoring God. This a quick read and definitely worth reading multiple times. Thank you NetGalley.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews