Striving For Excellence: Quotes You Should Live By

Do you regularly strive for excellence?

Doing your best is important.  Whether you believe it or not, people are always watching your example.

It could be your co-workers, your kids, your spouse, your boss or your friends.  All of these people matter in your life and observe the standards you live by.

Your commitment to excellence (or lack thereof) will form their opinion of you.  It will determine the life you lead and the legacy you pass on.

Quotes to guide us in our pursuit of excellence

Many wise people have recognized the value of seeking excellence in their lives.  How do I know this?  They made a point to emphasize excellence by talking about it.

We can learn from the quotes they left us.  Let’s take a look!

1.  What is excellence anyway?

Excellence is to do a common thing in an uncommon way.
~ Booker T. Washington

Excellence sets you apart from the crowd.  Most people seem to do just enough to get by.  They try to accomplish the task at hand (their job, being married, raising children, etc.) with the minimum amount of effort possible.  Of course, they get out of it what they put into it.

Want to be remarkable?  Start striving for excellence and people will notice!

2.  You will accomplish more through excellence.

Excellence always sells.
~ Earl Nightingale

People want what is excellent.  They want great food, quality products and top-notch service.  What people want, they are willing to pay for.  When you offer excellence, people will talk, word will get around and your business will grow.  Yes, excellence sells!

3.  Big things come to those who pursue excellence

If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you develop the habit in little matters. Excellence is not an exception, it is a prevailing attitude. 
~ Colin Powell

Excellence is a pursuit, not a destination.  You start by focusing on the little things.  Excellence is in the details.  Get the details right in your simplest tasks first.  Once you’ve mastered these, then move on to what is more complex.  Make sure you are excellent where it matters most and then carry that on to everything you do.

4.  Excellence is the best defense against your enemies

I was raised to believe that excellence is the best deterrent to racism or sexism. And that’s how I operate my life. 
~ Oprah Winfrey

Success seems to breed enemies.  People want to knock you down.  Being above reproach is the best way to combat the attacks.  Being excellent in what you do and how you live your life will frustrate and fend off those that oppose you.  Do not stoop to their level!  Instead, let their criticism push you to new levels of excellence.

5.  Excellence is noble

The noblest search is the search for excellence.
~ Lyndon B. Johnson

Committing yourself to excellence is noble.  It will make you feel good about yourself.  You will always know deep in your heart that you did your best.  Isn’t this what counts at the end of the day?  When you know you gave 100%, then you can rest easy.

An excellent life is one worth living!

I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence, I can reach for; perfection is God’s business.
~ Michael J. Fox

I’ll leave you with a word of warning.  Know the distinction between excellence and perfection.  The quote above points it out very eloquently.

In human terms, perfection often becomes a club used to beat people into submission.  Excellence always strives to lift people up and meet their needs.

I hope these quotes have helped you to see that striving for excellence is the path to a full and rewarding life.

Which is your favorite?

Photo by kevindooley

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