Excellence

Isadore sharp , the Founder of The Four Seasons , is attributed as the originator of this quote: “Excellence is the ability to endure pain.” When I heard this, initially it didn’t make sense to me . I associate the definitiion of excellence to the highest level of performance or quality. How does pain endurance relate to this ? When I thought over it more, it clicked. The achievement of a great product , a great athlete , business, etc. requires a lot of work and commitment for a long period of time. The work that goes into high level performance is at times painful. In order to reach the end you need keep that pace and commitment . hence the definition of excellence . If phrased as a math problem it would read as such : Excellence = (High level work + time ) complete effort sustained over a prolonged period of time will always create to some extend discomfort. As I navigate this season , I am in , it has to be one of the most uncomfortable times in my life . Everything seems so clear and so uncertain at the same time . This juxtaposing of state of mind and circumstance is exhilarating and depressing . With a wife and baby , so much doubt and fear tries to creep in . Daily is the battle for sanity and peace . I want to be great . I want to leave behind a legacy and if the path to this outcome is achieved through the pursuit of excellence , then this path I will continue . Stay hungry .