Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.”— Vince Lombardi, football coach

I had a discussion recently with a seasoned business leader. He was describing his internal gauge for whether his activity is rigorous enough.

“I think that there needs to be the tension of striving involved” he explained. “If you lift weights, you are trying to make it tougher. No one ever got stronger by curling five pounds.”

He went on to say: “If I’m trying to accomplish something, I’ve learned that there needs to be a bit of tension. I need to feel like I’m extending myself. I need to know it will take something extra to get there. I want some uncertainty there.”

Lombardi’s quote reminded me of the conversation. Nobody’s perfect. But, there is room between how we each perform right now and where perfection resides. Pick a spot to chase. Make it be a stretch. Excellence is in your path.