"Intelligent people are always eager and ready to learn" (Proverbs 18:15, GNV) Excellence is a continuous process. It is a never-ending journey. You can never become excellent to the point where you cannot go any further. Only a short-sighted person can see everything he or she can ever become. Our life here on earth is designed to be filled with uncertainties and probabilities; and those uncertainties are a part of the fun of being alive. You may never know what can become of that business venture if you pursue it, but you pursue it anyway. You may never know if you are going to get a good job if you get a college degree; but you get a college degree anyway. Part of being excellent is mastering how to adapt to the dynamics of life; and this is done by continuous learning, continuous improvement, continuous studying. The trick is to always be eager and ready to acquire new knowledge. Knowledge that you "think" you need, and knowledge that you "don't think" you need..
They say "No knowledge is a waste". I don't know who made that statement but I have found it to be packed full with wisdom. I have been saved a number of times by knowledge which I never thought I needed at the time I was acquiring them. Don't limit yourself to one line of thought, one sphere of existence - be versatile. The Bible says "Study to show yourself" (2 Tim 2:15). Truth is when you study well, your knowledge will show you. You will not struggle to be visible. No matter how many persons are doing what you do, your knowledge will make you outstanding. That is excellence defined. Excellence means not just to stand out, but to be outstanding as well.
Excellence has no limit, no zenith, no finale. You continue to learn, you continue to grow, you continue to improve. That is the measure of true excellence.