Why Chasing Excellence Beats Striving for Perfection

“Strive for excellence, not perfection.” – Katie Ledecky

We all have moments where we need to pause and remind ourselves of something we already know. This week, I found myself circling a frustrating situation. I was going round and round in my thoughts — frustrated, disappointed, blaming, even angry.

Why?
Because I was chasing perfection instead of excellence.

And that small shift in thinking makes all the difference.

The Crucial Difference Between Excellence and Perfection

On the surface, they sound similar — both involve high standards, determination, and ambition. But under pressure, the mindsets couldn't be more different.

Perfectionism, especially in its unhealthy form, is about chasing impossible standards and then harshly criticising yourself when you fall short.

Excellence? It’s about growth. It's about progress. It's about learning.

The High Cost of Perfectionism

Here's the kicker. The biggest cost of perfectionism is this:
You learn the wrong lesson when things don’t go your way.

When something doesn’t work out — whether it’s a project, a performance, or a personal goal — a perfectionist tends to internalise failure.
- Bad outcome? “I’m terrible at this. I’ll never be good enough.”
- Good outcome? “Still not perfect.”

The process becomes personal. Emotional. Discouraging.

What the Excellence Mindset Looks Like

Now contrast that with someone chasing excellence:

- Bad outcome? “Interesting. That didn’t work — why not?”
- Good outcome? “Great! What can I replicate next time?”

In this mindset, every experience — good or bad — becomes feedback. Every effort becomes part of a continuous cycle of testing, learning, and refining.

That is a superpower.

Let the Process Shape You

We often think of perfection vs excellence as outcomes. But really, they’re ways of engaging with the process.

Whether you’re in training, a work challenge, or a personal project — the process is where the transformation happens. Excellence invites curiosity. It builds resilience. It helps you take ownership of what’s next — rather than spiraling into shame or self-judgment.

So if you're feeling stuck or caught in a cycle like I was, ask yourself:

Am I chasing excellence — or perfection?

One will lift you.
The other will drain you.

Choose wisely.