You can continue to do the same things, the same way, indefinitely. Or you can take it to a higher level. It’s a choice, like most things in life.  While you don’t get to choose your parents or that certain place you came into this world, after infancy and early childhood the vast majority of choices are ones you get to make.

It’s pretty easy to stick to the status quo.  It can become quite comfortable.  If you’re not careful, however, you can allow yourself to get stuck in a dull routine.  And that can make you complacent, and even lazy if you allow that energy-sapping force to creep into your life.  Don’t be that person; instead consciously take the path to a higher level.

Whether in sports, art, literature, education, business, or another pursuit, there is always someone you can observe who is performing at a higher level.  What are they doing differently?  How hard are they working, or how efficiently?  What are they doing to make the next outing better than the last?  Are they practicing the right things, done the correct way?  How do they respond to failure?  How long do they dwell on success before moving on to their next challenge?  Ask yourself: Why can’t I do that too?

We can all observe, ask, listen, absorb and process the qualities of performance at a higher level.  It’s how we improve ourselves.  When you can see it done “perfectly”, you can also aspire to reach a higher level.  Interestingly, what you see as perfect isn’t likely to feel that way to the person you’re watching.  More than likely, no matter how good they already are, there is something inside of  them that inspires even further refinement and improvement.  They continually aspire to a higher level.  So can you.

How good Is good enough?  Is there something inside you that makes you go out and improve.  When do you stop improving?   I believe that it’s when you stop aspiring to reach a higher level.

It’s not about when you get “there”, because that target keeps moving.  It’s about making the journey count and finding pleasure and accomplishment along the way.  Pause and enjoy that feeling  for a moment, but then continue your own personal journey to reaching a higher level.  It’s worth the trip!