Excellence in anything is a byproduct of having fun. Fun is a byproduct of understanding. Understanding is a byproduct of going slow. Going slow is a byproduct of curiosity. Curiosity is a byproduct of saying “I don’t know,” of shunning beliefs and attending to what is in front, with zero baggage or impositions of your own — shunning the ego in the moment, moment by moment.

Excellence comes when each piece is as equal as any other, when preference is shunned, when space is created to allow what is in the moment, without resistance, without insistence.

This comment by jimsojim resonated with me when I read it this week. Beyond programming, I’ve experienced similar reflections and revelations across my other hobbies and other parts of my life.

Digging deeper, I think the reason this resonates with me comes down to my personal philosophy and what drives me. If I could summarise my objective, it would be along these lines:

I want to build cool shit with cool people, I want to share knowledge with those around me, and I want to use my skills and understanding to help others.

Coupled with this, one of the greatest joys I know is the arc from not knowing to knowing — the slow, shared process of discovery. There’s a particular satisfaction in starting with nothing but questions, working alongside others, and watching our collective understanding take shape.

I think those consistent dopamine hits are responsible for some incredible achievements. It’s why I believe in an iterative process — shunning perfectionism and ego (which is much easier said that done) to allow yourself to be fail and be humble. Then, finding your footing in a small win, and gaining momentum and confidence to drive towards bigger wins

The hardest step is slowing down. Slowing down feels like falling behind. But it’s hard to maintain speed without momentum.

I’ve learned that if I want “excellence”, I need to stop chasing it. Start by saying “I don’t know”, and learn to listen more. Pay attention to what’s in front of you without trying to control it. Make space for curiosity. Fun will follow — and excellence will take care of itself.