“Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.” -Vince Lombardi
Excellence. What exactly is excellence? According to Oxford, the basic definition of excellence is “the quality of being outstanding or extremely good.” Yet, this definition doesn’t convey the full value of excellence. Being excellent isn’t as simple as being skilled in a certain niche, being better than others, or living up to superficial standards. Instead, it’s about being mindful of one’s actions and approaching life with more intent. Staying true to your beliefs while still making the effort to sympathize with others. Pushing yourself even harder while knowing when to relax. Speaking your truth while listening attentively to others. Planning years ahead while still being fully present in the moment. All of this is ideal, but how do we actually get there? Well, excellence isn’t really a destination; it is a lifelong pursuit in which people hold themselves to a certain standard in everything they do.
The pursuit of excellence starts with the simplest of things. Some examples are folding your clothes a little neater, organizing your desk a little more, and even making your bed every morning. These habits seem unimportant on the surface, but they provide deep insight on a person’s character and the expectations they have for themselves. Someone who is willing to leave laundry on the floor would probably be willing to cut corners in life and could end up producing work they’re not fully proud of. However, the person who makes the mildly uncomfortable effort to maintain order in their environment would be the same person that runs the extra mile, studies the extra hour, and shows their loved ones the extra appreciation. There are many areas in life to improve on and most people fail to realize how intertwined they all are. Athletes endure the pain of working out and showing up to practice when they don’t feel like it. That deliberate choice to push past discomfort develops an intrapersonal discipline that filters into the other parts of their life, and they’re more willing to take on all the challenges that face them. Similar things can be said about scholars, who study meticulously and form critical thinking skills. The ability to problem solve is mostly applicable to their subject of interest, but once again, it has benefits outside of their career. They can choose to approach life in a logical, scientific manner if ever needed; or, those who are interested in literature can use their ability to articulate themselves when navigating relationships. The people who tend to excel the most are those whose habits end up forming a positive feedback loop. Their repeated constructive action helps them form strengths that can be applied to nearly anything. Once they use these strengths elsewhere, they develop themselves even further and their lives as a whole improve exponentially. Striving for excellence not only benefits the individual, but those around them. When others see someone close to them making an effort to be better, they’re much more likely to try and improve themselves and form a community of people with similar aspirations. Excellence is not an unachievable ideal, but an adventure that you can choose to embark on at any given moment. Although the journey may seem arduous, it leads to personal fulfillment and gives you a lifelong purpose. Embrace life’s difficulties, share your gifts with the world, and allow excellence to be the standard you reach for in everything you do.
More Quotes on Excellence
“Excellence is doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.” - John W. Gardner
"Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution." - Aristotle
"Excellence can be obtained if you care more than others think is wise, risk more than others think is safe, dream more than others think is practical, and expect more than others think is possible." - Unknown
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