Chapter 12: Striving for Your Personal Best, Like Cicero

The scent of parchment and aging leather, the faint whisper of voices from a distant forum—these are the ghosts that haunt the pursuit of excellence. It is a pursuit as old as time itself, a relentless striving that echoes through the centuries, a quiet hum beneath the surface of every great achievement. Cicero, that master of rhetoric, that tireless servant of Rome, understood this pursuit intimately. He knew that excellence was a journey, a relentless climb up a mountain whose peak forever remained just beyond reach.

Cicero lived a life defined by constant striving. He was not merely a politician, a lawyer, a writer—he was a craftsman of language, a sculptor of ideas, a relentless pursuer of knowledge. His life reveals the truth that excellence is not about flawless perfection, but about the unwavering commitment to becoming more than you were yesterday. It is about the daily discipline, the quiet dedication, the relentless refinement of one's craft.

Imagine the hushed anticipation in the Roman Senate, the weight of expectation pressing down on Cicero as he rose to speak. His words, honed and polished through countless hours of study and practice, flowed like a river, carving a path through the dense forest of political intrigue. He was a master of his craft, yet he never rested on his laurels. He continued to learn, to refine, to push the boundaries of his own abilities. This relentless pursuit, this insatiable hunger for knowledge, is the very essence of excellence. It is a fire that burns within, a driving force that propels us forward, even when the path ahead is shrouded in doubt and uncertainty.

In our own lives, the pursuit of excellence might not involve the grand pronouncements of a Roman senator, but it is no less vital. It might be the quiet dedication to mastering a skill, the relentless pursuit of a dream, the unwavering commitment to personal growth. It might be the daily act of choosing kindness over indifference, of perseverance over despair. It is in these small, seemingly insignificant acts that the seeds of excellence are sown.

Think of the athlete pushing their body to its limits, the artist refining their technique with painstaking care, the parent patiently guiding their child towards their full potential. These are all expressions of the same relentless pursuit, the same unwavering commitment to excellence. They are reminders that the journey itself is the reward, that the true measure of a life is not in the achievements it accumulates, but in the striving, the constant striving, that defines it.

The pursuit of excellence is not a race to be won. It is a journey of self-discovery, a process of continuous growth and transformation. It is about embracing challenges, learning from failures, and celebrating small victories along the way. It is about finding joy in the process, in the constant striving, in the relentless pursuit of something more. And in that pursuit, in that unwavering commitment to becoming better, we find not only excellence, but a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

“Six mistakes mankind keeps making century after century: Believing that personal gain is made by crushing others; Worrying about things that cannot be changed or corrected; Insisting that a thing is impossible because we cannot accomplish it; Refusing to set aside trivial preferences; Neglecting development and refinement of the mind; Attempting to compel others to believe and live as we do.” - Marcus Tullius Cicero

The wind whipped through the Roman Forum, carrying the scent of dust and sweat, the murmur of a thousand voices a low thrum beneath the soaring rhetoric of Marcus Tullius Cicero. He was a master of words, a weaver of sentences so finely spun they seemed to shimmer in the Roman sun. His voice, Plutarch tells us, possessed a captivating power, a resonance that could sway senates and silence mobs. To hear him speak was to witness the very dance of ideas, a ballet of logic and emotion played out in the grand theater of Roman politics. Yet, this mastery of language, this gift of persuasion, became both his shield and his undoing.

He rose through the ranks of Roman society, his eloquence a weapon that carved a path to the consulship, the highest office in the Republic. He stood against the tide of corruption, a lone figure battling the encroaching shadows of tyranny. His words, sharp as honed steel, exposed the machinations of Catiline, a conspiracy that threatened to unravel Rome. In that moment, he was the bulwark against chaos, the voice of reason in a storm of ambition. But the storm, it turned out, was far larger than any single man could withstand.

Cicero was not merely a politician; he was a scholar, a philosopher who sought solace in the quiet contemplation of Stoic wisdom. He saw the fragility of power, the fleeting nature of glory. His letters, intimate glimpses into his soul, reveal a man wrestling with the complexities of life, grappling with the weight of responsibility, and seeking meaning amidst the turbulence of his time. He sought not only to shape the world around him, but to understand his place within it, a quest that mirrors the eternal human struggle to find purpose and meaning in a world often indifferent to our aspirations.

His final act, a defiant stand against the rising power of Mark Antony, was a testament to his unwavering commitment to his ideals. His voice, once a beacon of hope, was silenced by the blade of an assassin. Yet, his words, etched in stone and preserved across the ages, continue to resonate. They are a reminder that even the most eloquent voices can be silenced, but the ideas they champion, the truths they reveal, can endure. His life serves as a poignant reminder that the struggle for justice, for truth, and for a life lived with integrity.

The pursuit of excellence isn't about achieving flawless perfection; that's a myth. It's about consistent effort, about embracing the process of growth and learning from setbacks. It's easy to fall into the trap of perfectionism, a relentless self-criticism that can lead to burnout and unhappiness. Self-compassion is crucial; we must acknowledge our imperfections, learn from our mistakes, and celebrate our progress, no matter how small. The journey itself, with its challenges and triumphs, is where true growth and fulfillment lie. It's about finding joy in the process, not just in the outcome.

Self-determination theory highlights the importance of autonomy, competence, and relatedness in fostering well-being. Positive psychology emphasizes the cultivation of strengths and the pursuit of meaning and purpose. These perspectives underscore the importance of a balanced approach to the pursuit of excellence, one that integrates personal growth, meaningful relationships, and a sense of purpose.

It's about striving for excellence not just in our careers, but in all aspects of our lives, creating a life rich in meaning and fulfillment. The pursuit of excellence is not a solitary endeavor; it's a journey we undertake with others, supported by community and connection. By embracing this holistic approach, men can find a path to excellence that leads to a more balanced, fulfilling, and joyful life. The echoes of Cicero's dedication to constant improvement remain a powerful reminder that the pursuit of excellence is not just about achieving great things, but about becoming a better version of ourselves, day by day.

Try this exercise:

The Cicero Challenge: A Week of Striving

This chapter highlighted the importance of consistent effort and self-compassion in the pursuit of excellence, echoing Cicero's relentless dedication. We'll put that into practice. Choose one area of your life – work, relationships, fitness, a hobby – where you'd like to see improvement. This isn't about grand transformations; it's about consistent, small steps.

Your Week-Long Challenge:

• Daily Action: Each day, dedicate 15-30 minutes to working on your chosen area. This could be practicing a skill, reading relevant material, or engaging in a related activity. Consistency is key!

• Journaling Prompts: At the end of each day, reflect on your progress using these prompts:

• What did I accomplish today?

• What challenges did I face?
• How did I handle those challenges?
• What did I learn today?

• How can I adjust my approach tomorrow?

• Small Challenge: This week, deliberately choose one task where you'd normally strive for perfection, and instead focus on progress, not flawlessness. Embrace imperfection as part of the learning process.

• Conversation: Share your progress and challenges with a friend, family member, or mentor. Their support can be invaluable.

By the end of the week, you'll have taken concrete steps towards your goal, learned from your experiences, and cultivated a more compassionate approach to self-improvement. Remember, the journey itself is the reward. Embrace the process, celebrate small victories, and continue striving for excellence, one day at a time.