"Excellence is not a singular act but a habit. You are what you repeatedly do."

The essence of this quote is that true excellence isn't about a one-off achievement. It's about consistently performing well over time. It's like saying that your true character is shaped by what you do regularly, not by an occasional good deed or success. So, if you want to be excellent, you need to make a habit of acting excellently in everything you do.

Aristotle, the ancient Greek philosopher, is often credited with the idea behind this quote. He believed that virtues are developed through consistent practice. It wasn’t enough to do a good thing once in a while; you had to practice doing good things regularly to truly become virtuous. This thinking is foundational in many ethical and philosophical frameworks even today.

Imagine Michael Jordan. Sure, he was incredibly talented, but what really set him apart was his work ethic. He didn’t just practice when everyone else did—he put in hours and hours on his own. Getting up early, staying late, always looking for ways to improve. It’s no surprise that he’s considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time. His excellence on the court was the result of his daily habits.

To apply this wisdom, start by identifying the areas in your life where you want to be excellent. Is it your job? Your health? Your relationships? Once you’ve pinpointed these areas, think about the small, consistent actions you can take every day to improve. It’s not about making huge, sweeping changes overnight. It’s about those little things you can do regularly that add up over time.

Let’s look at a relatable situation. Picture Sarah, a budding writer who dreams of publishing a novel. She’s got talent, sure, but she keeps waiting for the perfect moment to write—a long weekend, a burst of inspiration, that sort of thing. Months go by, and she’s barely written a few pages. Now imagine Sarah takes the advice from the quote. She decides to write for just 30 minutes every day, no matter what. Some days she’s on fire, and the words flow effortlessly. Other days, it’s a struggle just to write a single sentence. But she sticks with it. Over time, those small, consistent efforts accumulate. A year later, she’s got a finished manuscript. It wasn’t one singular act of brilliance that got her there—it was the habit of writing every day.

So, think about what you want to achieve. Then break it down into small, manageable tasks. Commit to doing those tasks regularly. It might be challenging at first, but remember, it's about building habits. Over time, what feels hard now will become second nature. And who knows? You might just find yourself becoming excellent in the process.

Picture yourself at that coffee shop again, chatting with a friend who’s struggling to get fit. You tell them about this quote. You suggest they start small—maybe just a ten-minute walk each day. “It’s all about building the habit,” you say. “Before you know it, those ten minutes will turn into twenty, then thirty. And you’ll start seeing the results.” They nod, sipping their coffee, a spark of determination in their eyes. They get it. They’re ready to turn excellence into a habit, one small step at a time.