In life, there are moments when we encounter something so remarkable, so outstanding, that it almost feels unreal. These moments can stir a feeling inside of us, a sense of awe, inspiration, and yes, even a tinge of jealousy. When we see someone rise from difficult circumstances, achieving something great, we can’t help but think, "If they can do it, why can’t I?" This is the magic of celebrating excellence. But why should excellence be celebrated, and what does it really mean to achieve it?

Today, I want to break down the concept of excellence in a way that is deeply personal and inspiring. These words are not just for you, the reader; they are as much for me as they are for you. I hope this resonates with you, sparks motivation, and makes you believe that excellence is well within your reach.

Why Should Excellence Be Celebrated?

Excellence must be celebrated because it represents more than just success. It represents the culmination of effort, resilience, and growth. When we celebrate excellence, we recognize not just the end result but the countless hours of work, the mistakes made along the way, the failures that taught lessons, and the persistence that led to breakthroughs. These stories of excellence stand for ‘Hope’. Hope that, perhaps, if they could do it, so can we.

Take, for example, Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google. His story is one of grit and determination. From sleeping on the floor due to a lack of a bed in his growing years to leading a tech empire worth billions of dollars, Sundar Pichai’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. His rise is a testament to the power of perseverance. He didn’t get there by chance. His excellence was built by consistent effort, unwavering commitment, and learning from every setback. And that’s the kind of story that makes us believe, “Perhaps we can too."

Excellence is not just for the few extraordinary people at the top. It’s for everyone—people who face challenges every day, people who work hard but still have to push beyond their circumstances. Excellence, when celebrated, can inspire others to reach beyond their limits. It tells them that their hard work and commitment are worth it, and it gives them the motivation to continue when the journey gets tough.

It also fosters a culture centered around driving excellence, where sharing stories of perseverance and personal growth encourages others to continuously improve themselves. By celebrating those who excel in their fields, we make them feel like valued members of our community. Their achievements not only inspire us to strive for greater heights, but also motivate them to elevate their own commitment and continue contributing at even higher levels.

Who Should Be Celebrated?

Who should we celebrate when it comes to excellence? It is easy to think of celebrities, high achievers, and leaders who are celebrated in the public eye. But the truth is, excellence is not confined to the famous or the elite. It’s in the everyday person who rises above their circumstances, whether they are an entrepreneur working late into the night, a mother balancing work and family, or a teacher shaping the minds of the next generation. 

We should celebrate the people who push through their difficulties, who face adversity head-on, and who rise from their challenges with dignity and grace. The pursuit of excellence is not easy; it demands sacrifices, commitment, and, most importantly, the courage to believe that no matter how difficult the road ahead is, the end result is worth it.

What Does It Take to Achieve Excellence?

What are the characteristics of someone who pursues excellence? Is it talent? Of course, talent plays a role, but more so, Excellence is about action, not just raw ability. The people we celebrate have developed a habit of action—of doing things repeatedly and with consistency until it becomes second nature. Excellence is a result of dedicated, continuous improvement. This quote that resonates deeply with me. Back in 2004, when I was studying for a course called Training and Development for the Hospitality Industry, I came across this quote on the first page of my textbook. It stuck with me for years. In fact, it became the closing line of the presentation I gave to land my first job as a trainer with Jet Airways, a highly respected airline at the time. This quote was more than just words to me—it became my personal mantra.

 "Excellence is an art won by training and habit. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." 

I have carried it with me throughout my career and life because it reminds me that excellence is a natural outcome of  habits that we choose to make. Habits that make success an obvious consequence. What are we doing day after day? What habits are we forming? Choose them well, These habits shape our future, whether we realize it or not. 

Anyone who has worked with me knows I always say, 'If you're going to do something, do it so well that everyone recognizes it could only have been done by YOU and no one else.' This kind of dedication not only makes you synonymous with quality but also sets a standard in the workplace. I often use the phrase 'Be so good that they can’t ignore you'—a philosophy I’ve adopted in my career and also in my podcast. When you develop the habit of excellence, not just as a one-off, but as part of your daily actions, you are well on your way to success.

The Commitment to Excellence: Where Does It Come From?

People who achieve excellence are not born with an unyielding drive. They build their commitment over time. How do stories of people who seem to have an "abnormal" ability to persist  come about? They are built through repeated efforts, through actions that align with their goals, and through a mindset that refuses to quit, no matter how difficult the journey.

I was drawn to the fitting words I read on the Global Excellence Council Awards website that said “Excellence is seldom accidental. More often than not, it is the consequence of highly directed, consistent and persistent effort accompanied by flawless execution.   Organizations and people who deliver excellence do it not by chance but by choice and through indefatigable effort". 

It’s not luck. It’s effort. The ones who achieve excellence do so not by chance but by conscious choice.

If you want to get in shape, simply joining a gym won’t lead to excellence. You have to commit to showing up every day, pushing yourself, and carving out time in your schedule to focus on your goals. Excellence doesn’t come from half-hearted efforts; it comes from a dedication to your craft, a willingness to fail and try again, and the perseverance to keep pushing forward, even when it feels like the end is not in sight.

What About Those Who Feel They Don’t Have Time?

Many people believe they don’t have the time or energy to pursue excellence. Life is busy, there are constant demands on our time, and it can feel impossible to find the energy to push for greatness. But the pursuit of excellence doesn’t require perfection, it just requires consistent, deliberate effort. Remember, even the smallest actions toward excellence matter. If you can’t dedicate hours to your goal every day, focus on the little steps. Celebrate every small victory. Watch out for those "micro-wins" and build on them. Small progress every day adds up, and soon, you’ll look back and realize how far you’ve come. Excellence is not reserved for the few who have all the time in the world—it is available to everyone who commits, even in the midst of life's chaos.

Final Thoughts: The Pattern of Success

The ultimate aim of this article is not just to celebrate the high achievers who stand out in the public eye. Rather, it is to show that they achieved excellence by following a pattern of thought and action—a pattern that we can all replicate. If we stay committed to the actions that define success, keep a strong mind despite setbacks and time constraints, and remain persistent in our preparation, we will inevitably attract opportunities. What looks like luck to the outside world is often just flawless execution of deliberate effort. It is important to remember that excellence is available to everyone. We don’t need to be the best in everything we do, but we must strive to be the best in whatever we choose to do. We should aim to be a yardstick of quality, to make an impact, no matter how big or small.

I’ll end with one of my favorite poems, one that I am sure will mean something to you too. It was written by Douglas Malloch, and it perfectly sums up what it means to pursue excellence, no matter where you are or what you do:

If you can’t be a pine on the top of the hill,
Be a scrub in the valley—but be
The best little scrub by the side of the rill;
Be a bush if you can’t be a tree.

If you can’t be a bush, be a bit of the grass,
And some highway happier make;
If you can’t be a muskie then just be a bass—
But the liveliest bass in the lake!

We can’t all be captains, we’ve got to be crew,
There’s something for all of us here,
There’s big work to do, and there’s lesser to do,
And the task you must do is the near.

If you can’t be a highway then just be a trail,
If you can’t be the sun, be a star;
It isn’t by size that you win or you fail—
Be the best of whatever you are!

The message is simple: You have it in you. Be the best version of yourself, no matter the obstacles in your way. Being a huge fan of inspiring quotes, I won’t be doing justice if I don’t make reference to another one of my favourites by Aristotle “As it is not one swallow or a fine day that makes a spring, so it is not one day or a short time that makes a man blessed and happy.”

The implication of this quote is that it doesn’t matter what people do on occasion or from time to time. To achieve excellence, an action must be done repeatedly to the point that it can be considered a habit.

Embrace the path to excellence, and make it work for you. The world is waiting for YOU to shine, its never too late—make it happen.