Pursue Excellence and Success Will Follow

“Pursue excellence, and success will follow, pants down!”

Rancho (played by Aamir Khan), from 3 idiots

Success can be a tricky thing. If you’re chasing it, it tends to run away. Yet when you’re simply trying to do your best, not thinking of it in the slightest, it chases you like a cheetah after a gazelle.

Why is that? Aren’t we supposed to chase what we want and not care about anything else? Isn’t that how we’re supposed to achieve stuff?

Well, not quite.

Here’s why:

Meaning of “Pursue excellence and success will follow”

The phrase “pursue excellence and success will follow” suggests that if an individual focuses on consistently striving for Excellence in their endeavors, Success will ultimately come as a result. This implies that Success is not a destination or end goal but a byproduct of consistently putting in effort and dedication to achieving Excellence. 

By continuously working towards Excellence, an individual will develop the skills and abilities necessary to succeed in their chosen field or pursuit. 

Therefore, rather than focusing solely on the end goal of Success, an individual should focus on continuously improving and perfecting their abilities to ultimately achieve Success.

The difference between Success and Excellence

Success and Excellence are two distinct concepts that are often used interchangeably, but they have different meanings and implications. 

Success is typically defined as achieving a desired outcome or goal and is often measured in terms of tangible achievements or accomplishments. For example, an individual may consider themself successful if they have achieved a certain level of financial stability, a high-paying job, or a certain level of recognition or fame.

Excellence, on the other hand, is a concept that emphasizes the quality or standard of something. It is often associated with being the best in a particular field or endeavor and is typically measured in terms of skills, abilities, and knowledge. For example, an individual may be considered excellent in their field if they have mastered a specific skill or expertise or if they consistently produce high-quality work.

Thus, the critical difference between Success and Excellence is that Success is focused on achieving tangible outcomes or goals. At the same time, Excellence emphasizes the quality or standard of an individual’s abilities and skills. 

This means that an individual can be successful without necessarily being excellent, but they cannot be excellent without also being successful to some degree. 

In other words, Success is a measure of an individual’s achievements, while Excellence is a measure of their abilities and skills.

Why you should pursue Excellence and not Success

Pursuing Excellence rather than Success has several significant benefits and advantages. 

First and foremost, focusing on Excellence allows an individual to develop the skills and abilities necessary to achieve success in their chosen field or pursuit. By consistently striving for Excellence, an individual will continuously improve and perfect their abilities, ultimately enabling them to achieve Success.

Furthermore, pursuing Excellence allows an individual to stay focused on the process of achieving their goals rather than solely focusing on the end result. By focusing on consistently improving and striving for Excellence, an individual will be able to stay motivated and engaged in their work, even when faced with challenges or setbacks. 

This can help to prevent burnout and maintain a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction in their work.

Additionally, pursuing Excellence can help to build a strong foundation for long-term Success. By consistently striving for Excellence, an individual will develop a robust set of skills and abilities that will be valuable in various contexts.

This means that an individual who pursues Excellence will be well-equipped to adapt and succeed in a variety of different situations and environments.

Overall, pursuing Excellence rather than Success allows an individual to focus on consistently improving and perfecting their abilities, ultimately leading to Success in their chosen field or pursuit. It also helps maintain motivation and engagement and builds a strong foundation for long-term Success.

Examples of Success through Excellence

There are countless examples of individuals and organizations achieving Success through Excellence. Some examples include:

• In the world of sports, many successful athletes have achieved their Success by consistently striving for Excellence in their training and performance. For example, Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt achieved Success through his dedication to training and Excellence in sprinting.

• In the business world, successful companies often achieve Success through their commitment to Excellence in their products and services. For example, Apple Inc. is known for its Excellence in design and innovation, which has contributed to its success as a leading technology company.

• In education, successful schools and teachers often achieve Success through their commitment to Excellence in teaching and learning. For example, the highly-regarded International Baccalaureate (IB) program is known for its Excellence in education, which has contributed to its success in providing high-quality education to students worldwide.

• In the arts, successful artists often achieve Success through their commitment to Excellence in their craft. For example, world-renowned musician Yo-Yo Ma achieved Success through his dedication to Excellence in classical music performance.

All-in-all, these examples illustrate how Success can be achieved through a focus on Excellence in various fields and endeavors. By consistently striving for Excellence, individuals and organizations can develop the skills and abilities necessary to achieve Success in their chosen pursuits.

How to Pursue Excellence

Pursuing Excellence isn’t easy. But that doesn’t mean it has to be complicated.

As the saying goes,

“The best things in life are simple. Simple things work.”

Lois Duncan

The process of pursuing Excellence is also simple. It’s just that these simple steps need to be repeated meticulously for years and years before you can get anywhere near being “Excellent.”

But if you’re ready to do that, here are the keys steps to keep in mind while chasing after Excellence:

1. Identify your goals

The first step in pursuing Excellence is identifying what you want to achieve. This could be a specific skill or talent, a career or personal goal, or a desired outcome in a particular area of your life. By clearly defining your goals, you can focus your efforts and create a plan to achieve them.

2. Develop a plan

Once you have identified your goals, the next step is to create a plan to achieve them. This plan should include specific actions and milestones that will help you reach your goals. It should also have timelines, resources, and support systems to help you stay on track.

3. Take action

Pursuing Excellence requires taking action. This means committing to regular practice and hard work to develop your skills and abilities. It also means seeking out opportunities to learn and grow and taking calculated risks to push yourself to the next level.

4. Track your progress

To continue pursuing Excellence, it is crucial to track your progress and make adjustments as needed. This could involve keeping a journal or log of your progress, setting regular benchmarks, and seeking feedback from others to help you measure your progress and identify areas for improvement.

5. Celebrate your successes

Pursuing Excellence is not always easy, and it is essential to celebrate your successes along the way. This could involve recognizing your own progress and accomplishments, as well as seeking recognition and rewards from others.

6. Continuously improve (Most Crucial Step)

Pursuing Excellence is not a one-time effort but a continuous process of learning, growing and improving. This means staying open to feedback, learning and developing new skills, and staying committed to your goals and the pursuit of Excellence.

Final Thoughts

No matter where you are in your life, it is never too late to start pursuing Excellence. With dedication, focus, and hard work, you can unlock your potential and achieve Success in your chosen field or pursuit. So don’t wait any longer and start pursuing Excellence today. 

By consistently striving for Excellence, you will develop the skills and abilities necessary to succeed in your endeavors and build a strong foundation for long-term success. 

Therefore, go ahead and take the first step towards Excellence. Success will soon follow you.