285 — Why Excellence Is About Who You Become, Not What You Achieve with Performance Expert Brad Stulberg

Do you feel like you’re just going through the motions? Or do you think you don’t the time or energy to excel at anything? If you want to find more meaning and fulfillment without doing a cold plunge at 3 a.m., this episode is for you.
 
My guest is Brad Stulberg, a best-selling author and human performance expert. He explains that real excellence isn’t about hustle culture or becoming the best in the world. Instead, it’s about engaging in something worthwhile that aligns with your values.
 
Some of the things we discuss are:
 

• The difference between real excellence and hustle culture
• Why pursuing excellence leads to greater life satisfaction, not burnout
• How to find something you’re passionate about, even if you feel lost
• The importance of connecting your goals to your core values
• Why the things you work on also work on you
• The role community plays in achieving your goals
• How to stay motivated when you hit a plateau and stop seeing progress

Key Takeaways:

• Redefining Excellence: The pursuit of excellence involves meaningful engagement in activities that resonate with values, not just aiming for external validation or achievements.
• Importance of Process: Emphasizing the journey over the final accomplishment leads to sustained satisfaction and growth.
• Role of Community: Surrounding yourself with supportive and inspiring people leads to increased motivation and accountability.
• Aligning with Values: Understanding and aligning with your personal values fosters genuine fulfillment and sustainable success.
• Continuous Growth: Even when facing plateaus in your skill development, shifting focus to the experience and internal growth keeps the pursuit of excellence alive.