“Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.”—Vince Lombardi
The concept of “well-centered fitness” is not about setting the bar ever higher. Rather it is a pursuit of perfection that is simply not humanly possible. It is about being the best you can be today in all aspects of your life, and being better tomorrow.
We can never be perfect—if we expect to be perfect, we are setting ourselves up to fail. We can, however, pursue perfection. In the process, we move ever closer to excellence (and perfection).
Life is not a tee-ball game, where the ball is set on the tee and we have an infinite number of swings at the ball. Life (a life well-lived) is a constant pursuit of self-betterment. Be your best today; be better tomorrow. This is all life expects of us—the pursuit of growth.
A life well-lived is not defined by a peak. We don’t achieve success and go into a maintenance phase or rest on our laurels. We don’t reflect back on the “glory days”. In a well-centered life, the best is always yet to come. Granted, we may peak in physical performance or attain a “terminal degree” academically, but growth in these areas does not end here—at least it shouldn’t. We may not hit PRs forever in sports, but we must remember that sports performance is a rather focused pursuit in the Physical dimension. “Better” in a well-centered approach is refinement.
“Perfection” and “excellence” are individualized and subjective terms. We are not measured by the success of others. We measure our success in relation to our own potential and Purpose. Perfection is an asymptote. If perfection is considered a target, it is a bulls-eye that continually grows smaller.
Growth is constant. It must, however, be intentional. Otherwise, it is unfocused and haphazard—energy is wasted.
Growth should be balanced. Ultimately, we want to put our energy toward growth in all dimensions: Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, and Social. There may be times and seasons where growth in one dimension is sacrificed to growth in another, but this should not be long-term, nor should any one area ever be neglected completely.
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might (Ecclesiastes 9:10). Pursue perfection with zeal and enthusiasm. In so doing, you will be excellent.
Carpe diem!