Excellence is Not an Act but a Habit

Introduction 1: Real-Life Example

Excellence is not an act but a habit, a sentiment well-exemplified by the life of Elon Musk. Often regarded as one of the most innovative and successful entrepreneurs of our time, Musk’s journey is a testament to the power of habitual excellence. His ventures, including Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralink, have redefined industries. This introduction sets the tone for exploring excellence as a continuous practice rather than a fleeting occurrence.

Introduction 2: Quote

As Aristotle eloquently put it, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” This timeless quote encapsulates the essence of our exploration into the concept of excellence, not as an isolated event, but as an ingrained way of living and performing.

Introduction 3: 3 Idiots Movie Reference

“In the world of excellence, where the stars of accomplishment shine the brightest, it’s not a momentary flare that sets them apart, but the constancy of their brilliance. As the characters in the movie ‘3 Idiots’ remind us, ‘Pursue excellence, and success will follow you.’ Just as the protagonists of the film discovered, excellence is not a mere act to be staged for applause; it’s a melody composed through the harmonious rhythm of consistent habits. In the following essay, we will delve into the profound truth that excellence is not an act, but a habit, and explore how this timeless principle can transform individuals and societies alike.”

Defining Excellence and Diverse Examples

Excellence, in its truest sense, means being consistently outstanding and remarkable setting one apart from the rest of the crowd. It encompasses achieving a superiority in one’s domain through continuous dedication, exceptional effort, and unwavering commitment to improvement.

For example, consider the story of Michael Jordan, widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. His excellence on the court was not a result of sporadic moments of brilliance but rather the culmination of relentless practice, meticulous attention to detail, and an unyielding determination to elevate his skills. Jordan didn’t settle for mediocrity or rest on his laurels; he consistently pushed himself to improve every aspect of his game, from shooting to defense, from physical fitness to mental resilience.

Excellence can manifest in various forms—whether in intellect or moral and spiritual aspects or in the fields of arts, sports, sciences, or any endeavour where human potential is tested and exceeded. Aristotle’s concept of eudaimonia, or human flourishing, underscores the idea that excellence is achieved by continually pushing boundaries. Examples of iconic figures like Buddha, Leonardo da Vinci, Marie Curie, and Michael Jordan illustrate how excellence is pursued across different disciplines, reinforcing the notion that it’s a habit formed through persistent effort.

The example of Buddha illustrates that achieving excellence is no mean feat rather it is an ongoing arduous journey till the end. His journey of renunciation of his royal life in the pursuit of truth witnessed rigorous meditation, self- discipline in austere conditions. His relentless quest culminated in achievement of enlightenment. Even after achieving enlightenment, Buddha maintained his strict disciplinary and austere lifestyle. The excellence in his teachings is evident in the enduring impact of his teachings.

The above examples have reasonably established that excellence is rooted in routine and discipline, woven into the fabric of one’s daily life. The ingredients of excellence are talent, passion, and ambition but none are as critical as a habit of consistent hard work regardless of the outcome. It is the limiting factor in the nurture of excellence. One may have a unique talent or be naturally gifted, be ambitious in their desires, or have an undying passion but that is not a guarantee of excellence. As Stephen King says “Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the excellent one is a lot of hard work.” Consider the meticulous practices of legendary violinist Itzhak Perlman or the relentless training regimen of Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps. These individuals showcase how excellence is the result of continuous refinement, embracing small improvements over time.

To cultivate excellence, one must embrace a growth mindset, always seeking opportunities to learn and adapt. It requires training of the mind and cultivating the right attitude. A mindset that is anchored in iron-clad willpower and detached from the outcome. An individual pursuing excellence is not chasing success but chasing their own potential and being outstanding and outperforming themselves consistently.

A parallel of this thought can be found in the Indian philosophy. The detachment towards outcome or success/failure called Nishkama Karma echoes the philosophy of performing with dedication and excellence as a duty. As Lord Krishna tells Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, “You have the right to work, but for the work’s sake only. You have no right to the fruits of work.”

There are countless examples where individuals chased excellence with no acknowledgment of their work or success, most notably women in history. Such as the English chemist and X-ray crystallographer, Rosalind Franklin’s work played a crucial role in understanding the structure of DNA. Her images of DNA molecules were central to the discovery of the DNA double helix. Unfortunately, she was not widely acknowledged for her contributions during her lifetime, but her research was pivotal in advancing the field of molecular biology. Another example of a lady who pursued her work and the world was forced to recognize her excellence. The Nobel Prize-winning physicist and chemist, Marie Curie, displayed a dedication to scientific excellence that went beyond accolades. Her groundbreaking research on radioactivity and her pioneering spirit in a male-dominated field exemplifies the pursuit of knowledge and innovation for the betterment of society.

In this pursuit of excellence, curiously and paradoxically there can be two barriers, that is, failure and even success. When one fails to achieve the desired growth or gets overly attached to the worldly outcomes of their excellence, it often breeds dejection and pessimism. At those times, a strong mindset and willpower coupled with a love for one’s activity or pursuit will help to overcome this sense of dejection.

On the other hand, success is even harder to overcome in pursuit of excellence. As it is too difficult to recognize it as a barrier and how it can lead one astray from the pursuit of their passion/activity. Examples of such individuals can be found in all fields from history – Napolean Bonaparte to the present day – Maradona, George Lucas, Vinod Kambli, and Napolean Bonaparte, who after an initial display of excellence failed to perform and actualize their potential.

Excellence as a quality is not merely limited to individuals rather it is a virtue that must be pursued at the social and national level to ensure consistent striving for advancement, growth, and the betterment of its citizens. In this regard, a nation that stands out is Japan which even after being devastated by two nuclear attacks was able to rise to its current glory and global influence due to the cultivation of excellence in all spheres – economics, education, culture, technology, disaster management, and international relations. Taking a leaf from Japan’s pursuit of excellence, India is also striving to grow, develop and prosper as it steps into its Amrit Kaal.

For India to achieve its desired position and status, it is imperative that excellence is also pursued in administration and public policy. In the realm of administration and public policy, excellence plays a pivotal role in shaping societies where decisions are taken for their merit consistently rather than pursuing vested and narrow interests. Indian bureaucracy provides notable instances where administrative excellence has led to impactful changes. The transformational initiatives of administrators like T.N. Seshan, who revolutionized the electoral process, and E. Sreedharan, the driving force behind Delhi Metro, demonstrate how adherence to excellence results in tangible societal benefits.

Excellence, thus, is a virtue that must be pursued at an individual as well as collective level. The Indian Constitution also exhorts through Directive Principles and Fundamental Duties to pursue excellence in the form of equality and justice at a national level.

In the words of Steve Jobs, “Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren’t used to an environment where excellence is expected.” Indeed, excellence is not a sporadic display but a daily ritual, a habit ingrained within the very fabric of our being. From the relentless pursuit of visionaries like Elon Musk to the wisdom of Aristotle and the resilience portrayed in “3 Idiots,” excellence thrives as a continuous journey—one where each step shapes us into the best version of ourselves. So, let us remember that excellence is not an act; it is a habit that beckons us to embrace growth, challenge, and progress with open arms.

Quotes:

1. “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” – Aristotle
2. “Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives – choice, not chance, determines your destiny.” – Aristotle
3. “Excellence is a continuous process and not an accident.” – A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
4. “Excellence is not a skill. It is an attitude.” – Ralph Marston
5. “The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.” – Vince Lombardi
6. “Excellence is doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.” – John W. Gardner
7. “Excellence is not about being the best; it is about doing your best.” – Unknown
8. “Excellence is the gradual result of always striving to do better.” – Pat Riley
9. “Excellence is not about perfection. It is about constant improvement and surpassing your own expectations.” – Unknown
10. “Excellence is a habit you can cultivate. It’s not something that happens overnight, but something you consistently work towards.” – Unknown
11. “Strive for excellence, not perfection, because we don’t live in a perfect world.” – Joyce Meyer
12. “Excellence requires discipline and consistency. It’s the small daily actions that add up to greatness.” – Unknown
13. “Excellence is not just about reaching the pinnacle; it’s about consistently climbing higher.” – Unknown
14. “Excellence comes from setting high standards and making them a part of your everyday routine.” – Unknown
15. “Excellence is not for the elite few. It’s for those who are willing to put in the effort and make excellence a habit.” – Unknown