“The pursuit of excellence is gratifying and healthy; the pursuit of perfection is frustrating, neurotic, and a terrible waste of time.”

This anonymous quotation caused me to chuckle when I read it.  As a recovering perfectionist, I can completely agree.  How many miserable hours have I spent in the past working and re-working a task so I could get it just right!  The longer I worked the more irritated I became.  It seemed like the more I did, the more I found that needed to be done.  This can be very discouraging after a while.

The “funny” thing is that the ratio of improvement to time spent very seldom proved to be worth it.  Even when I would think I had it just right, I would later find one other tiny flaw.

Excellence, on the other hand, is the goal for which we should all be seeking.  Giving your best to every task.  Producing quality results.  Being committed to avoid mediocrity at all costs.  Now that is what brings satisfaction and fulfillment.

When you know you have done your very best, then you can live . . . your life to the fullest.