A message from Terry: No, this isn’t a list from the opening round of the National Spelling Bee. And it isn’t a question from the vocabulary section of the SAT Test. Instead, focusing on these three C words can help you improve your “grade” as a team member.

• CONSCIOUS comes from the Latin “to know,” and it means much more than simply not being asleep. Routine has a way of lulling us. We move through our day like a robot, performing tasks on auto-pilot. Instead, challenge yourself to be alert and aware to all of the little details of your day. At first, you may find it hard to stay ‘present’ for even five minutes. With practice, however, you will find it easier to stay attuned to your senses, noticing all the little details that add up to a job well done.

• CONSCIENCE is a word whose current form dates all the way back to the 13^th Century, and Latin roots that are far older than that. It relates to our sense of our own moral goodness – having a “clean” conscience is our reward for being on our best behavior. Are you a star, by your own standards?

• CONSCIENTIOUS is a word that first came into common usage around 1576, and the concept is as useful and important now as it was then. Common synonyms include “meticulous” and “careful.” On an average workday, what percentage of your time do you spend actively on-task? If you knew that someone was observing you and filling out an assessment of how well you do your job, how different would your performance look?

What might your team be like if every member of it took responsibility for improving the quality and quantity of their own work by just 5%?