I was listening to a podcast the other day – probably Mel Robbins (because let’s be honest, I’m a little obsessed) – and she was interviewing someone about the idea of excellence.
One of the questions that came up was this: “If you were being paid $1 million, how would you do X?”
How would you sweep the floor? Fold the laundry? Walk the dog? Handle all those little mundane, everyday tasks that we usually go on autopilot for—I know I do!
Then the conversation turned to perfectionism versus excellence—and there’s a big difference. It’s easy to get caught in the perfectionism spiral when what we’re really reaching for is excellence. Perfectionism is all about earning approval, chasing gold stars, and measuring yourself against what other people think. Excellence, though, is inward. It’s about effort, intention, and asking: Does this feel good enough for me? That answer might look different for everyone, and that’s the beauty of it.
For me, this shows up in the gym. I’m a trainer, and I want the space to look cared for. That means the weights are lined up, numbers facing the same way, everything in its place. Does anyone else notice? Maybe, maybe not. But doing it with excellence makes me feel proud of my environment and the energy I bring into it.
This also shows up in my home life. How I clean the bathrooms, tidy up my son’s toys, or even how I write that email—or yes, this very blog post. There’s a level of excellence that feels “good enough for me,” but it also reflects a standard I know I can reach. And hitting that standard, even in small ways, makes the ordinary feel a little more meaningful.
And that’s the key—excellence isn’t about being flashy or perfect. It’s about showing up for yourself in a way that makes you feel good, even in the tiniest tasks.
“Excellence is not about being noticed, it’s about being proud of how you show up.”
So, what’s one area of your life where you could practice excellence today? Maybe it’s making your bed like a hotel room, cooking dinner without rushing through it, or simply putting your phone down and being fully present with someone you love.