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- Living Excellence
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence is a muscle, a habit.
🎼 📖 Read Intellego #021 by listening to:
Confident Walk
First things first. What is the most important thing you must do? Give everybody a notice that you’re here and you’re real.
We know excellence when we see it. We feel it and leaves tracks. It’s an attitude, an approach to life, a desire to be your best, an unstoppable force to excel in something.
It takes commitment, energy, and focus. You can apply it to various contexts—academics, sports, business, arts, music, and personal development.
Let’s name a few gifted ones. Michael Phelps, Kobe Bryant, Serena Williams, Meryl Streep, Oprah Winfrey, Robert De Niro, Usain Bolt, Simone Biles... among so many others brilliant minds.
Excellence is the relentless pursuit of the highest quality. It's the constant desire to improve, innovate, and transcend limitations.
We identify exceptional individuals by their actions, behaviors, and attitudes. They truly stand out from the crowd, while embodying their craft.
They’re a living proof of what they believe and do. You cannot ignore what they do. It’s simply extraordinary.
Their unwavering focus and commitment to their craft affects how they think and act. They have unique techniques, approaches, tempers, and mindsets.
Exceptional people consistently perform at a level far beyond their peers. They were once apprentices who became masters of themselves.
For many years, they’ve made failure their best companion. But they did not give up, they endure.
Anyone who lived, studied, or worked with me knows how much I value quality.
Since a young age, I strive for excellence. I have a desire to keep learning and honing my skills. My parents motivated me to excel. Here is a proof.
My grades when I learned to read. The pattern continued as years passed by.
Do you know that hunger to succeed? That drive to excel? The desire to be your best version? It’s a feeling difficult to explain, right?
I don’t shy away from my chores. I like challenges, learning and improving myself. When I’m engaged in a certain activity, I dive deep into it. Time flies by.
But, we can get distracted along the way. Sometimes, we get comfortable being average. Less effort, less attention, less failure, less resistance, less upfront work.
Suddenly, we get used to doing just enough. When we tap into this zone, the autopilot mode, we stop growing.
We lose clarity, creativity drops, we procrastinate, and we ignore important details. In fact, no one strives for mediocrity, but sometimes we end up there. It happens to anyone.
“I can’t relate to lazy people. We don’t speak the same language. I don’t understand you. I don’t want to understand you.”
The Natural Elevation
Are you doing your best? Nobody is watching you.
From a holistic perspective, excellence involves balancing various aspects of life and striving for greatness in all areas—personal character, professional skills, relationships, and contributions to society.
It requires a deep sense of purpose and a commitment to making a positive impact. Those who pursue excellence often serve as role models and inspire others, creating a ripple effect that motivates and uplifts those around them.
Here are some positive aspects of living by excellence standards:
Personal Fulfillment: Achieving high standards and pushing oneself to new heights brings a profound sense of personal satisfaction and accomplishment.
Continuous Improvement: Fosters a mindset of ongoing learning, innovation, and skill development.
Professional Success: Leads to significant achievements, recognition, and opportunities for career advancement.
Financial Rewards: Often translates to financial benefits and a strong professional reputation.
Positive Impact: Inspires and motivates others, creating a ripple effect that benefits communities and industries.
“Excellence is not a skill. It is an attitude.”
The Stagnation Trap
For many years, I wore a blindfold. I mixed excellence with perfection. I failed with myself. My ego took control of my life. It was pure vanity to choose the unattainable. An unhealthy choice.
I can tell you after a couple of setbacks on my journey. Perfectionism is a futile quest. It can destroy you inside out. You may get you sick on the attempt - physically, mentally, and spiritually. Not worthwhile the hassle.
As you can see, excellence can also have negative aspects if they’re not managed carefully. The risk of imbalance is inevitable. Here are some red flags to keep in mind:
High Stress and Pressure: The constant demand for superior performance can lead to mental and physical health issues, including burnout and anxiety.
Perfectionism: Unrealistically high standards result in frustration and disappointment when we don’t meet these standards.
Imbalance: Focusing too intensely on one area of life can lead to neglect in other areas, such as personal relationships and overall well-being.
Risk of Burnout: The relentless pursuit of excellence can cause long-term exhaustion and diminished interest in previously enjoyable activities.
Unrealistic Expectations: Can create a constant sense of inadequacy if you set high expectations for yourself or for others.
“Close some doors today, not because of pride, incapacity, or arrogance. But simply because they lead you nowhere.”
The Fearless Formula 1 Pilot
When I think of excellence, the first name comes to my mind is Ayrton Senna. I was five years old, when I saw Senna racing for the first time on TV. It was admiration at first sight.
Senna was a legend on and off the Formula 1 tracks. He captivated a huge audience with his talent, discipline, relentless determination, and drive for excellence.
Throughout his career, Senna had many victories and won three World Championships. Brazil, the homeland of football, met the king of the tracks. Senna made all Brazilians proud.
His driving skills, especially in wet conditions, were unparalleled. People praised him for his precision, speed, and competitive spirit.
Senna’s excellence extended beyond his technical skills. His dedication to fitness, mental preparation, and teamwork set him apart. He constantly pushed the boundaries, seeking to improve and innovate.
Despite his tragic death in a crash during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix, Senna’s legacy of excellence continues to inspire future generations of drivers and sport enthusiasts.
“I have no idols. I admire work, dedication and competence.”
The Iconic Volleyball Coach
Source: CBV - The Brazilian Volleyball Confederation
Life is indeed a game, a lifelong school. First, you sit and learn. Later, you stand up and teach. That’s the story of Bernardo de Rezende.
Bernardinho is one of the most successful volleyball coaches in history. He was an Olympic player who became an outstanding coach.
He has achieved numerous international titles throughout his coaching career with the Brazilian men’s and women’s national teams, including Olympic gold medals and World Championships.
Bernardinho’s excellence lies not only in his deep understanding of the game. But also in his leadership and ability to motivate and develop players.
There are no bad times with him. His approach to excellence involves meticulous planning, rigorous training, and fostering a strong team spirit.
He emphasizes the importance of discipline, resilience, and continuous improvement.
His success as a coach is a testament to his ability to bring out the best in his players and create a winning culture.
Motivation, partnership, and teamwork. That’s Bernardinho’s recipe to win.
“The only way to stay ahead in any area is to dedicate yourself to the preparation process with at least the same enthusiasm as the second place.”
The Intrepid Aerobatic Pilot
Source: We love Budapest. Photo by Predrag Vuckovic
Fast-forward thirty years, I witnessed another exceptional performance. Before my eyes on the sky, Péter Besenyei - a Hungarian renowned aerobatic pilot.
He caused a frenzy with his acrobatics. He amazed the crowd with the precise maneuvers of his aircraft.
I thought to myself; he is a legend of the skies. No wonder why his exceptional flying skills and contributions to the sport of aerobatics are famous worldwide.
It’s visible. There is excellence in what he does. His precision, creativity, and mastery of complex maneuvers.
He challenges the status quo and pushes the limits of what is possible in aerobatic flying.
He has been instrumental in the development of new techniques and aircraft designs, constantly seeking to innovate and improve.
His passion for flying and commitment to excellence have made him a revered figure in the aviation community.
“It is dangerous for a five-year-old child to mess around with the socket, but the electrician does this every day. What is dangerous is always determined by who does it, when and what, not by the action itself.”
Conclusion
Excellence goes beyond achievements. It’s a holistic approach to life. It involves striving for the highest standards, continuous improvement, and making a positive impact.
While its pursuit brings various benefits, it also comes with challenges and risks, such as high stress, perfectionism, and accidents.
The stories of Ayrton Senna, Bernardinho, and Péter Besenyei illustrate how we can achieve excellence through dedication, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to being our best version.
Excelling on something is more than just reaching a goal. It’s a growth journey. It’s about learning, and contributing to a purpose greater than yourself.
By embracing the principles of excellence, we can lead fulfilling lives, inspire others, and leave a lasting legacy.
“Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren't used to an environment where excellence is expected."
PS: I ask your prayers to Brazilian population. Severe floods devastated entire cities last month. If you can donate, please see details here. Thank you! 💛💚
Talk to you next week.
Light and peace,
—FMV
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