In order to get the winning edge, we need to strive for excellence, not perfection. Striving for perfection is neurotic; striving for excellence is progress, because there is nothing that can’t be done better or improved upon. One should compete with oneself. Every time we perform we should endeavor to outdo our own previous performance.

We live in an imperfect world and function through the imperfect instruments called the body, sense organs, mind and the intellect. While living in an imperfect world and functioning through imperfect instruments, it is simply not possible to churn out perfect work all the time. So attempts for perfection will always leave one stressed out. But we can always strive for excellence. Have a passion for excellence. All that we need is a little edge.

The winning horse in the races wins 5-to-1 or 10-to-1. Is it that he is five or ten times faster than the other horses? — Of course not. He may only be faster by a fraction, by a nose, but the rewards are five or ten times greater. Is it fair? Who cares? It doesn’t matter. Those are the rules of the game. That is the way the game is played.

The same is true in our lives. Successful people are not ten times smarter than the people who fail. They may be better by a nose, but the rewards are ten times bigger.

We don’t need to improve 1,000% in any one area. All we need is to improve 1% in 1,000 different areas, which is a lot easier.

That is the winning edge!

Always strive for excellence and

outdo your own previous performance.