Let me share an example with the profound words of Theodore Roosevelt Jr. An American politician, statesman, conservationist, naturalist, and writer who served as the 26th president of the United States from 1901 to 1909. Teddy profoundly posited: “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.
Teddy continued: “The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
If everyone in America left the country in 1845, America would not be where it is today. From experience and observation; it was an issue with mindset, once you get past your own ego, look at the world through the lense of positivity and be yourself. You will become unstoppable. Plus you also need to sprinkle in effort everyday never punt a day. I’ve been thinking a lot about how we should always strive for excellence in life. This is not necessarily being the most talented but rather being one who is continually striving to give the best to everything he does. It is really about the spirit of excellence.
Unarguably, mediocrity is a readily available temptation for men who aren’t disciplined, strong-willed and set goals. Excellence on the other hand is the direct opposite of mediocrity, a constant habit for getting things done at the most efficient possible standard. Excellence sits on the other extreme end of mediocrity
In reality, most people find themselves somewhere in between these two extremes, aiming for excellence in areas that matter most to them while accepting imperfection in others. Striving for constant improvement rather than getting obsessed with perfection can be a healthy approach, allowing you to set high standards while being kind to yourself when things don’t go perfectly. Ultimately, the choice between mediocrity and perfection is a personal one that should align with your values, goals, and well-being. It’s essential to strike a balance that promotes growth, fulfillment, and happiness in your life.
Let me at this point align with the position of Colin Luther Powell, an American politician, statesman, diplomat, and United States Army officer who was the 65th United States secretary of state from 2001 to 2005. He was the first Black secretary of state. He was the 15th United States national security advisor from 1987 to 1989, and the 12th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1989 to 1993. Powell eloquently posited: “If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you develop the habit in little matters. Excellence is not an exception, it is a prevailing attitude.”
Long-story-short: with the spirit of excellence; African countries are sure going to be doing marvelously well, while worthlessness will perpetually results in living a fake life, which is expensive because it often requires a person to maintain a certain image or status that may not be sustainable in the long run – which includes spending large amounts of money on material possessions, such as designer clothes, luxury cars, and extravagant vacations, in order to maintain an appearance of wealth or success.
Additionally, living a fake life can also lead to financial strain as a person tries to keep up with unrealistic standards they have set for themselves or that have been imposed by others. This can result in debt, financial instability, and a lack of true fulfillment or happiness.
Ultimately, excellence is living an authentic life, true to oneself and one’s values, can lead to greater happiness and fulfillment in the long run, even if it means forgoing certain material possessions or societal expectations.
Following from the above, at the core, the empirical evidence is based on generalized method of the moment. As such, Nigeria in particular, needs a life-altering reset, we have been afflicted for too long.
In conclusion, and more to the point, permit me, therefore, to share with you the profound words of Aristotle, an Ancient Greek philosopher and polymath. His writings cover a broad range of subjects spanning the natural sciences, philosophy, linguistics, economics, politics, psychology, and the arts. As the founder of the Peripatetic school of philosophy in the Lyceum in Athens, he began the wider Aristotelian tradition that followed, which set the groundwork for the development of modern science.
Aristotle remarked as follows: “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.” In essence, a culture of excellence motivated by steadfastness result in sweeter success.
Richard Odusanya can be reached via odusanyagold@gmail.com
