We’ve become remarkably good at measuring things. Steps, streaks, output, efficiency ratios. And yet for all this precision, many people feel more scattered, more exhausted, and less fulfilled than ever.
That’s because efficiency is easy to measure—and excellence isn’t.
Excellence asks different questions. Not “How fast can I do this?” but “Is this worth doing?” Not “How much did I produce?” but “Did this shape me in a way that aligns with my values?”
Excellence isn’t neutral. It’s directional. It points somewhere meaningful.
One of the most compelling ideas from my recent conversation with Brad Stulberg is that excellence isn’t about perfection or optimization—it’s about involved engagement in something worthwhile. That phrase matters. Engagement implies care. Worthwhile implies choice. Together, they move us away from performative productivity and toward work that actually satisfies.
This is also why chasing flow can be misleading. Flow feels good—but it doesn’t care what you’re doing. You can experience flow scrolling endlessly or gambling away hours. Excellence, on the other hand, demands values. It asks that effort be placed where it counts.
What stood out to me most is that excellence isn’t found at the peak—it’s built on the climb. Satisfaction doesn’t come from crossing the finish line; it comes from knowing you showed up for the work that mattered, even on days when motivation was low and progress was incremental.
If you’re feeling worn down by optimization culture—or suspicious that being “efficient” isn’t making life better—this conversation is an invitation to recalibrate. Not toward doing less or more, but toward doing better.
