Aim for excellence, not perfection (2024)

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Aim for excellence, not perfection (1)

The reason why you shouldn’t strive for perfection, but instead for excellence in life and Freeletics training to achieve a fulfilled satisfied life.

Seana2 min read

The mistakemany people make, not just in training, but also in life in general, is that they try to achieve perfection. Do you want to know what the problem with this is? No one is perfect. It’s an illusion. By aiming for perfection you set goals so unrealistic that they become impossible to reach and you never feel satisfied.

Instead, strive for excellence. Excellence is about being outstanding. Achieving greatness, brilliance, distinction. So how is it different to perfection? The difference between perfection and excellence is that with excellence, you accept failure and mistakes and you learn from them. Whereas, with perfection you never admit weakness. Everything must be perfect at all times.

How do you improve yourself if you never learn from your mistakes? The answer is, you don’t. You’re never going to be the best at something first time round. It’s not possible. It takes practice. A lot of learning. Advice from those with more experience. It’s ok to ask for help if you need it. That’s what the Freeletics Community is there for. Only once you’ve realized this can you really become the best version of yourself possible.

Apply this to you’re training. Follow these tips to become someone pursuing excellence, not perfection:

Reward yourself for effort

Are results important? Of course they are. But if you focus only on results and you end up not achieving them, you will feel as though your efforts were worthless. Instead, reward yourself for your effort. For example, you didn’t get a PB this time but instead you mastered a pullup. You didn’t get the result you wanted. But you still worked hard and improved in another way. You can always go back to working on that goal next time.

Focus on what you have already achieved

Perfection is always about thinking that you haven’t done enough. Like there is so much more that you can and should do. You need to stop focusing on what you haven’t achieved. It’s a constant unnecessary pressure. Instead, think of how far you’ve come. What have you accomplished? Where were you 6 months ago? You have done something that others would say is impossible. So who cares about what you haven’t done? That’s nothing compared to what you have.

Don’t feel that you aren’t good enough compared to others

Don’t look at other people and think you aren’t good enough compared to them. Because you are. Instead, use their success as motivation. Not as something that makes you feel inadequate. If someone isfurther ahead at something than you are, look at this person and tell yourself that you too can achieve what they have. And you will.You have your own unique goals. Your own unique idea of excellence. And you’ve worked hard for your own development. So stick to it. Don’t try to achieve someone else’s success. Work on your own.

Accept mistakes. Ask for help if you need it. Focus on the process as well as the results. It might take longer to reach your goals and others might seem further ahead. But that doesn’t make any difference. Because you will reach them at one point. And in the end, that’s all that matters.

We want to hear from YOU. What have you learned from mistakes? Do you make room for error or do you try to get it perfect every time? Leave a comment below.

Aim for excellence, not perfection (2)

Written by

Seana

Aim for excellence, not perfection (2024)

FAQs

Aim for excellence, not perfection? ›

The difference between perfection and excellence is that with excellence, you may strive to do your absolute best, but you also allow yourself to accept failure and mistakes as you learn from them. Whereas, with perfection, you can never live with (let alone admit to) error or weakness.

What does aim for excellence not perfection mean? ›

There is a key difference between striving to produce excellent work and perfect work. While excellence is attainable with effort, skills, and strategies, perfection is an unrealistic standard.

What is the quote for excellence not perfection? ›

Strive for excellence, not perfection, because we don't live in a perfect world.

Why is excellence not perfection? ›

The difference between excellence and perfection

In fact, it can be a good thing. High standards can encourage us to make improvements, solve problems and do quality work. Perfectionism, however, is an impossibly high standard — with no room for imperfections and no compassion for mistakes.

What does it mean to aim for excellence? ›

Defining excellence versus perfection

Striving for excellence involves aiming for high yet attainable standards – in a motivated but still realistic manner. People who strive for excellence tend to agree with questionnaire statements such as: “I aim to be capable at what I do.”

What is the difference between perfection and excellence? ›

Perfectionism is about the fear of failure, while striving for excellence is the urge for success. Excellence is superior performance, persistence, and the commitment to do something exceptionally well. Excellence requires risk, effort, spontaneity, hard work, and extending yourself to reach your full potential.

What does aim for progress not perfection mean? ›

It means that you are prioritising moving toward your goal, and you are getting there in many small steps and not in one giant step. Don't let striving for perfection paralyse your progress, no matter what you are going to start. Progress beats perfection every time.

What is a famous quote about excellence? ›

2. Aristotle. "Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives - choice, not chance, determines your destiny."

Who said excellence does not require perfection? ›

Quote by Henry James: “Excellence does not require perfection.”

What did Churchill say about perfection? ›

“Perfection is the enemy of progress.” Those words, spoken by Winston Churchill, are as important in 2022 than ever before.

Is excellence equivalent to perfection? ›

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, Perfection is defined as being entirely without fault or defect or also defined as an unsurpassable degree of accuracy or excellence. Excellence is defined as the state or quality of being excellent. (Excellent means very good of its kind or eminently good.)

How do you run behind excellence not success? ›

When life gives you options, choose excellence over success-Always! By taking up challenges on your way, staying grounded to your heart is the key to get greater things in life.

Does perfection lead to success? ›

Done Is Always Best

You see, perfection is the enemy of success. Perfection won't help you build success; it's often what prevents you from actually achieving it.

Why shouldn't you strive for perfection? ›

Perfectionists tend to be "all-or-nothing" thinkers. They see events and experiences as either good or bad, perfect or imperfect, with nothing in between. Such thinking often leads to procrastination, because demanding perfection of oneself can quickly become overwhelming.

How to aim for excellence? ›

Becoming the Best Version of Ourselves: The Path to Excellence
  1. Know yourself, your strengths, and your weaknesses. ...
  2. Set realistic goals to strive for. ...
  3. Focus, focus, focus. ...
  4. Take care of your mental and physical health. ...
  5. Become a sponge for knowledge. ...
  6. Be mindful of the company you keep. ...
  7. Always follow through and follow up.

What do you call a person who strives for excellence? ›

"Perfectionist." Vocabulary.com Dictionary, Vocabulary.com, https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/perfectionist.

What does aim for perfection mean? ›

When you aim for perfection, you set a bar so high that when you make a single, tiny mistake, it can cause everything you've worked so hard for to crumble. Compare this to when you aim for excellence; you give yourself a fighting chance to succeed!

How do you aim for progress not perfection? ›

Progress not perfection means focusing on what you've already achieved and being proud of the work you've put toward a goal even if it's not 100% perfect. Remind yourself that it's okay if you make mistakes. Focus on all the hard work you've already done and celebrate those achievements.

What does always aim at perfection for only then will you achieve excellence mean? ›

The difference between perfection and excellence is that with excellence, you accept failure and mistakes and you learn from them. Whereas, with perfection you never admit weakness. Everything must be perfect at all times. How do you improve yourself if you never learn from your mistakes?

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