To pursue excellence is to go beyond the baseline mediocrity of our society.
That’s not an easy thing to do. And when something is hard, it’s worth asking ourselves, “why am I doing this again?”
Usually, the reason behind our striving is to create fuller, more meaningful lives for ourselves and our loved ones.
But there’s an uncomfortable truth that comes with the pursuit of excellence: it’s easy to spend a lifetime chasing something that never feels good enough.
We might achieve remarkable things but still feel a void because we haven’t allowed ourselves to even consider what does “enough” look like?
What’s enough money?
Enough sex?
Enough impact?
Enough fitness?
Knowing when enough is enough is a critical part of “achieving” excellence. It’s a transformative act of self-respect. It’s also a form of role modeling.
We’ve been born into a time where the systems that run our daily lives define their goodness in terms of perpetual growth – where people are valued based on their output.
Our individual experience of “never enough-ness” plays perfectly into this system.
Excuse the conspiratorial tone but it seems like the pursuit of excellence has become weaponized.
So I’d submit if you really want to make a difference, feel like you’re enough more often.
This is a reminder to myself as well.
Part of the solution lies in defining what it means to be satiated.
Excellence, when pursued intentionally, invites us to engage with our lives, relationships, and work to find that “enough” point so contentment isn’t always a carrot just out of reach.
And in this process, we can ask ourselves:
“Is this pursuit adding meaning to my life, or am I driven by an endless loop of unachievable standards?”
I just want to be clear. This isn’t a call for mediocrity or passivity. Quite the opposite.
In my opinion, it’s mediocre to be a validation seeking robot programmed for whatever society tells us is the main objective because that is someone else’s objective – someone else’s dream.
Knowing when we’ve reached enough – now that is a rebellious act.
By not binding ourselves to ceaseless achievement, we’re not just choosing self-respect; we’re role modeling a larger shift toward a world that values life-well-lived over whatever we’re navigating right now.
Again, don’t abandon ambition.
But do anchor your pursuit of excellence in various points along the way where you can feel achievably satisfied.
Here are some other points to consider:Real excellence requires us to define who we are. It’s a dynamic interaction, a kinetic imperative that sits in us. It will never feel perfect. So what is good enough for you? Real excellence doesn’t incapacitate others in the process.
In the end, living an excellent life is probably not one where we’ll look back and say, “I was the best.” Rather a life where we can say with resolve, “that was worth it.”
No matter where you are, it’s never too late to join the party.
Cheers,
Jeff Depatie
Chief Course Architect, www.thespecialforcesexperience.com| Founder, www.artofadversity.com
PS I really enjoy getting feedback and having side conversations sparked from these newsletters. If you want to chat, just shoot me an email.