Let’s begin by asking the question, what is excellence? Talent? Genius? Extraordinary feats? When you think the word excellence, what comes to mind? What emotion do you feel? Pride, for past accomplishments? Resignation, for the seemingly unattainable? Determination, for the next goal? (All or none of the above are perfectly wonderful answers.)
Look, we all compare right? (Really, you’re a saint if you don’t.) It’s natural for us to compare, see how other people are doing, and get discouraged when we feel they have something we can never get. (Unfair!)
If anything, though, I would argue that the only thing that should be compared is effort. Dedication. True excellence isn’t a thing some people “just have.” Rather, true excellence lies in effort. In perseverance. True excellence— is an attitude. (Cue 3-second pause for effect.)
We’re all meant for different things, and we all have the potential to make our mark in each and every one of those. How do you approach everyday? Do you have a purpose? There’s no room for aimlessness in excellence, friends. If you don’t know what you’re doing or who you’re doing it for, you’ll get no satisfaction. Establish your purpose and embrace everything in the road to getting there.
Excellence is in knowing not to quit (but just the end goal, don’t waste your time on means that are clearly not working). Excellence is in asking questions, in learning from mentors. Excellence is in picking up things as you go along, and in gamely adapting to whatever situation you’re in. Excellence is in swallowing your pride, and in getting back up again.
Touching a life? Growing vegetables? Solving a math problem? Surfing tidal waves? Nothing’s superior to the other-- excellence can be manifested anywhere.
Be inimitable! Be original! Be you!
Honestly, excellence? There’s really not much to it. Or rather, there’s nothing much to it that anyone can’t already do. The act of constantly living and breathing excellence might be limited to a selected few, but the possibility of it is not. It’s not something meant to be exclusive only to some imaginary elite who are above all us mere mortals, and on the contrary is open to everyone who chooses to embrace it.
So go ahead, take pride in what you’ve chosen to pursue and give it all you’ve got (but rest! Don’t forget to rest! Don’t burn yourself out!) Attitudes are cultivated over time, and excellence is no exception. Don’t settle. We rise, we fall, we go on quite a run— but always, we get the job done.
Tbh, I feel like this entire thing sounds completely corny, but who cares? If it gets you thinking, perhaps reframing your mindset, then it’s achieved its objective, hasn’t it? And the point is, excellence doesn’t have to be sophisticated. There’s no need to be the shiniest piece of coal. Just do you to the best of your ability and you’ll find maybe you’ll surprise even yourself (ok, now that was really corny but you get what I mean).
In the words of Alexander Hamilton, “I may not live to see the glory, but I will gladly join the fight.” You and I know that we won’t necessarily always achieve what we want. The question is, will you make that the end for you?
Story by Katreena Chang, Blazers Batch 2015
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