Lesson 26
Personal Excellence
This lesson focuses on the commitment to being the best version of yourself. Personal excellence is not about perfection—it's about continuous improvement and striving to exceed your own standards. Participants learn that excellence is a habit, not an event.
Module Resources
In This Module
High Standards
Commit to exceeding your own standards in everything you do
Continuous Improvement
Focus on getting better every day, not on perfection
Excellence as Habit
Build habits that make excellence your default mode
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.
Reflection Exercises
Write responses to the following questions. Take time for thoughtful, detailed answers.
Vision of Excellence
What does your best self look like? Describe the person you are working to become in detail.
Current Excellence
In what areas are you currently pursuing excellence? What habits support this?
Raising Standards
Where do you need to raise your standards? What specific changes will you make?
Daily Excellence
What will you do today to move closer to excellence? Be specific about your actions.