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Not an Act but a Habit

Updated: Aug 3, 2023

Have you ever wondered what sets exceptional individuals apart from the rest? It's not just talent or luck, but rather a humble dedication to consistently doing the right things. As Aristotle once wisely said, "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."



 Prairie-style organic architecture
Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West

I recently had the privilege of visiting multiple homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, starting with Taliesin West. This was Mr. Wright's personal winter residence and the place where he founded the Taliesin Fellowship, a community that provided architectural training through a hands-on approach. It seems that he understood the importance of "doing" and embraced it. Frank Lloyd Wright was truly an exceptional individual, having created over 1000 designs in his lifetime, including the Guggenheim Museum in New York and the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, Japan.


Take a moment to think about this. The most successful people in any field didn't achieve greatness overnight. It was their unwavering commitment to practicing their craft, honing their skills, and pushing their limits that propelled them to the pinnacle of success. I love the photos of Frank Lloyd Wright that show him on-site, experiencing hands-on learning as he built Taliesin West and taught his students.

Excellence is not a fleeting moment; it's a way of life. It means showing up every day, giving your best effort, and refusing to settle for mediocrity. It's about embracing the mindset that every action, no matter how small, contributes to your overall success.

So, if you aspire to achieve greatness, it may be time to adopt the mindset of habitual excellence.

Asian Screen from Frank Lloyd Wright's collection
The “Immortal Peaches” screen displayed at Taliesin West in Arizona.

Remember, it's not about being flawless all the time. It's about consistently striving for improvement, learning from your mistakes, and never giving up. Success is not a destination; it's a journey that requires dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to excellence.

As the construction continued at Taliesin West, new ideas developed and new methods were experimented with. Repetition brought learning to the students who had the privilege of working alongside Frank Lloyd Wright, a man who was willing to push limits.

Let's make excellence a habit. Let's embrace the power of consistent action and see what new heights we can reach. Let's start today and let our actions speak louder than our words.

Here are some ideas for action: set a goal to read for a certain number of minutes every day, engage in intentional movement for a specific amount of time each day, add a serving of fresh vegetables or fruits to every meal, spend time playing a musical instrument daily, and so on. Find an interest or an area that you know could add value to your life by improving, and practice it daily. You've got this!







 
 
 

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