John F. Kennedy

I can't read JFK's Nomination speech in 1960 without getting goosebumps. Despite a slow start it ends with his appeal to put aside "personal comfort" for "public interest". What really hit home for me was his appeal to choose

...between the fresh air of progress and the stale, dank atmosphere of 'normalcy' - between determined dedication and creeping mediocrity.

What a great phrase - creeping mediocrity. Thinking about that for any period of time usually makes me want to do a better job.

This from a man who later challenged the nation to put a man on the moon (and return him safely to earth - arguably the hardest part) - a feat that was acheived in a remarkable 7 short years. A man not only of words and vision, but who also set the challenge that resulted in probably the most significant advancement in technology in the 20th century. The culmination - a footprint on the lunar surface - sadly happened after his death but will be a permanent reminder of what his vision achieved.

Image by permission NASA