Excellence is an attitude first and the actions to support it second.  For without the correct attitude the greatness that one pursues will never occur because the excellence many wish to achieve is the mindset we carry about ourselves and our pursuit.  Excellence is a way of thinking, a way of believing and a way of valuing both yourself and the activities around you.  It is what internally motivates you to be better today than you were yesterday and to do these things without the external support and reinforcement coming from others.  Excellence is a thirst without quench and a drive without end; it is a deep-seated value that fundamentally defines who you are.  This tao and this dharma and this "force" can be learned and can be taught, but it does require a spark to exist to build upon.  For this way of living is only capable by the "right-minded" and is obviously not embraced by everyone even though seemingly everyone talks about it and it appears it is often valued.  Dig deep inside yourself and explore your spark of excellence, fan the spark to a raging flame, and live the life you can only dream about.

The way of success is the way of continuous pursuit of knowledge. Napoleon Hill

You find peace not by rearranging the circumstances fo your life, but by realizing who you are at the deepest level.  Eckhart Tolle

It’s your road, and yours alone.  Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you.  Rumi