Set Your Own Standard

In Letters From A Stoic, playwright and philosopher Seneca warns us that "excellences withers without an adversary." In any competitive arena, one’s “adversary” is obvious. In a matter of seconds, you or they become the standard. It’s no surprise, then, that many races in which an Olympic or World Record is set yields many a personal best among runners in that same race. The excellence so clearly present in the winner brings forth new levels of excellence in all.

These underemphasized resulting achievements—excellence influenced—are each incredible in their own right; medal or otherwise, the act of outdoing oneself is proof enough of having risen to the occasion.

For many of us, our adversary is unlikely to be physicalized in the form of an elite athlete running with all their might less than a foot away from us. The infinite player recognizes that she's playing against herself. Sometimes our adversary must be our own comfort, our own intolerance for challenge.

The Stoics encourage stress inoculation, the regular controlled exposure to suboptimal conditions as practical training against reliance on external comforts. It is not merely about ice baths or fasting, but about consciously setting one's own standards.

Personalized excellence is the dedicated adherence to one’s own standards for living. It is not the ousting of those who think or operate differently, nor is it the unevaluated adherence to externally-imposed ideals. It is, in fact, the inevitable result of living in alignment with one’s values—for how could such a life not be excellent? Excellence recognizes the lie of comparison, as each person is fundamentally and distinctly on a tailored journey rich with inclinations unique to their intents.

Identify your adversary; pursue your own version of better in the face of it.

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