"La perfection n'est pas atteignable mais si nous poursuivons la perfection nous pouvons atteindre l'excellence"

Chasing after perfection is like trying to catch the wind—it's impossible. But here's the kicker: in that relentless pursuit, we often stumble upon excellence. It's not about hitting that unachievable mark of flawlessness; it’s about striving to be the best we can be.

This idea was famously articulated by Vince Lombardi, one of the greatest football coaches in NFL history. Lombardi wasn't just talking about sports. His words resonate with anyone who has ever set a goal or dreamt big. In the high-stakes, high-pressure world of professional football, perfection is a pipe dream. Mistakes happen. Plays go wrong. But Lombardi knew that the effort to achieve perfection—pushing oneself to the limit day in and day out—often results in outstanding performance. His teams’ consistent excellence was no coincidence.

Think about a world-renowned chef. They might aim to create the perfect dish—balanced flavors, impeccable presentation. Despite the impossibility of true perfection, the drive to get as close as possible results in extraordinary cuisine. The quest for perfection elevates their skills, their creativity, and ultimately, the quality of what they produce. That’s excellence.

So, how do we apply this in our own lives? Start by setting high standards for yourself. Don’t be afraid to aim for the stars, even if landing on the moon is more realistic. Whether it’s in your job, your hobbies, or your relationships, push yourself to improve continually. If you’re a writer, don’t just aim to finish a book—strive to write something impactful, something that moves people. If you’re a student, don’t just aim to pass the exam—aim to truly understand the material. The goal is not to be perfect, but to be the best version of yourself.

Here’s a relatable scenario: Imagine you're training for a marathon. Maybe you’ve never run one before, or perhaps you’re aiming to beat your personal best. You craft a rigorous training plan. You’re up at the crack of dawn, pounding the pavement, rain or shine. Some days are tough—you might feel like giving up. But you don’t. You keep pushing, striving for that perfect race day. Come race day, maybe you don’t hit your dream time. But you do finish with a personal best, and more importantly, you come out stronger, fitter, and more resilient. That’s excellence.

Remember, it’s not about never making mistakes. It’s about what you do when you fall short. How do you pick yourself up? How do you learn and grow from the experience? Excellence isn’t about a flawless journey; it’s about the commitment to keep moving forward, improving bit by bit.

So, maybe perfection is a myth. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t chase it. Because in that chase, we transform. We achieve greatness. We catch excellence. And really, isn’t that what it’s all about?