Richard Rorty wrote that witty line which serves a good title on this post. Alas, how true! Satirically true. Ironically, if there is something that we always do well, and enjoy doing consistently, are those activities we do on weekends. On the job, or in our career pursuits, it is a different story. Don’t you know that half the enjoyment of life comes from doing things well. How frustrating it is just to settle for a half-done or mediocre job!

Most of us recognize there are some things we will never learn to do well, and it probably doesn’t make any difference whether we do or not. But our primary goals –those which- we set to accomplish in our careers or business –can be achieved with excellence.

Sometimes you are put in a position of having to do a job because you are the only one available to do it. But if most of the time you don’t feel you can do well what you are doing or about to do, it is probably best if you reexamine yourself and your job, and switch over to doing those things (pursuing a career that is, or managing a business) you can do well. Life is too short to spend it half-heartedly, as they say.

In many ways, excellence is a state of mind. It is the desire to be excellent, the pursuit of excellence which lifts us to higher and more exciting goals in our careers, business, or in our lives in general. Doing things with excellence doesn’t necessarily mean setting aside morals, dignity, and relationships in order to achieve your goals. Nor does it mean taking short-cuts. Excellence is putting forth all that you have in what you do within the parameter of fair play and objectivity.

Are you striving to excel on weekends only? How do you pursue excellence in your career, business, relationships, or life?