"L'excellence n'est pas une destination c'est un voyage continu qui ne finit jamais"

Excellence isn't a place you reach and then stop. It's an ongoing process, a never-ending quest. Imagine you’re climbing a mountain. You get to one peak and realize there's another, even higher one just ahead. That’s excellence for you. It’s not about getting to the top and then relaxing; it’s about seeing that there’s always more to achieve, more to learn, more ways to grow.

Historically, this idea has been around for centuries. Think of ancient Greek philosophers like Aristotle. He talked a lot about the concept of "arete," which translates to excellence or virtue. He believed it was about striving to be the best version of yourself, continuously improving. Or look at Michelangelo, who once said, "I am still learning," even well into his 80s. These great minds understood that excellence is a lifelong pursuit.

Let’s bring it down to a real-life example. Think about Serena Williams, one of the greatest tennis players of all time. She didn’t become the best by winning just one Grand Slam. No, she kept pushing herself, kept training, kept improving. Even after winning multiple titles, she was back on the court, working on her game. Excellence, for her, wasn’t just about winning; it was about constantly getting better, no matter how many trophies she had.

So, how can you apply this wisdom in your life? Start by setting goals, but don’t treat them as the end-all-be-all. Once you reach a goal, set a new one. And don’t get too comfortable. Keep learning, keep pushing yourself. Maybe you’ve mastered a skill at work—great! Now find another related skill to dive into. Or perhaps you’ve hit your fitness goals. Fantastic! Now, how can you tweak your routine to push your limits even further?

Let’s say you’re a writer. You finish your first novel, and it gets published. That’s a huge milestone, but it’s not the end. Instead of resting on your laurels, start on the next book. Or better yet, take a writing workshop to hone your craft further. Think of J.K. Rowling; she didn’t stop after the first Harry Potter book. She kept writing, kept improving, and now she’s one of the most celebrated authors in the world.

Picture this: You’re at your favorite coffee shop, chatting with a friend. They tell you they’ve just received a promotion at work. You congratulate them, of course, but then they say, “I think I’ve made it. Now I can just coast.” You might be tempted to agree, but deep down, you know that true excellence means not getting complacent. So, you gently remind them that this promotion is just one step. Encourage them to keep learning new skills, to keep innovating, to aim for the next level.

In essence, excellence is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s about persistence, resilience, and the willingness to keep going even when you’ve already achieved something great. It’s a mindset, a way of life. So, keep climbing those mountains, one peak at a time.