Excellence & Perfection

How many of us know the actual difference between Excellence and Perfection?

As per the dictionary, Excellence means the quality of being outstanding or extremely good; Perfection means the condition, state or quality of being free or as free as possible from all flaws or defects. Simply, Perfection means to be flawless.

When we do an activity at the best of our capability it is the process of excelling. We start taking care of minor details, emphasize on clarity of every minute detail. Excellence is attained gradually. As said by ‘Pat Riley’,

“Excellence is a gradual result of always striving to do better”.

When we analyze the quote above, it would mean the same even if few words were removed. For example: ‘always’ and ‘gradual’. But these two words add the emphasis to the quote. When we keep doing something again and again and want betterment in what we are doing, then we are in the process of pursuing excellence. Practice is the basis for it and continuous effort is the catalyst for the travel towards excellence. Most important of all, excellence becomes possible in the absence of excuses. As quoted by ‘Barack Obama’, the 44th President of the United States,

“We need to internalize the idea of excellence.”

Excellence has to come from within. The want of it must grow and bloom from inside. It cannot be searched outside. We must win ourselves in every possible instance. It has to become one’s attitude. Excellence does not mean to be the best; it means to do one’s best. As quoted by ‘Aristotle’,

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence therefore is not an act but a habit.”

Once excellence becomes a habit; once we have tasted and experienced it, we will never be content with mediocrity. Excelling can never be stressful. It will motivate oneself and will be gratifying and healthy. Yes, excellence does take enormous amount of effort and time but does not consume our inner charisma. It just adds more fuel to the fire thereby making the commute vigorous. When the process is eating up our charm, it means that we have moved our focus out of excellence.

Excellence and Perfection are used alternately. But there is a vast difference between the two. Perfection is a state that can never be achieved. It is something that does not exist. It is just an illusion and we can never attain it. For those who seek perfection, they will just find themselves unfulfilled throughout your life. Striving for perfection is demoralizing. As quoted by ‘Vince Lombardi’,

“Perfection is not attainable. But if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.”

Understanding that Perfection is not attainable, we can strive towards it with the aim to catch excellence. Chasing an imaginary goal could be tricky if the amount of sincerity and vigor in practice degrades. If the motive is not strong then the outcome is obviously vague. So, the quote of ‘Ronnie O’Sullivan’, might need a slight tweak.

“Looking for perfection is only way to motivate yourself.”
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Yes, it will motivate if we understand that it is an illusionary goal and
what we are pursuing will be ours before we reach the goal..!