Personal Excellence

What Is Personal Excellence?

Personal excellence is the commitment to being the best version of yourself. It's not about being perfect—it's about continuous improvement and striving to exceed your own standards. Excellence is measured not against others but against your own potential.

Aristotle said, "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." This means excellence is built through daily choices and practices, not occasional bursts of effort.

Areas of Personal Excellence

Excellence can be pursued in every area of life:

• Character: Living with integrity, honesty, and kindness
• Health: Taking care of your body through exercise and nutrition
• Knowledge: Continuously learning and growing intellectually
• Skills: Developing capabilities that serve your goals
• Relationships: Being a good friend, family member, and community member
• Contribution: Adding value to others and the world

The Path to Excellence

Pursuing excellence requires:

• Clear vision of who you want to become
• High standards that push you to grow
• Daily habits that move you forward
• Honest self-assessment and feedback
• Resilience when you fall short
• Patience—excellence takes time

Excellence in Prison

Prison is an unlikely place to pursue excellence, but that makes it even more powerful. When you choose excellence in difficult circumstances, you prove to yourself and others that you are capable of transformation. Every day is an opportunity to move closer to the person you want to become.