The paradox of perfection
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” – Aristotle
The perfect loaf of bread doesn’t exist. Neither does the perfect presentation, strategy, or product launch. What exists is the relentless pursuit of better. During the pandemic, my sourdough journey began with dense, brick-like loaves that barely resembled bread. Today, they’re Instagram-worthy. The difference? Not talent. Not luck. Just 1,460 days of deliberate practice.
The three pillars of craft
“The master has failed more times than the beginner has even tried.” – Stephen McCranie
- Embrace beautiful failures – Studies from the University of California show that experts spend 24% more time analyzing their failures than novices. Every collapsed loaf taught me more than the perfect ones.
- Systems over goals – Research published in “Psychological Review” reveals that progress comes from focusing on systems rather than outcomes. My breakthrough came when I stopped chasing the perfect loaf and started understanding fermentation science.
- Environmental adaptation – A 2022 study in Nature demonstrated that experts in any field share one trait: adaptability. Humidity, temperature, flour quality – variables constantly change. Excellence lies in adjusting, not controlling.
The craftsman’s code
“In times of change, learners inherit the earth, while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists.” – Eric Hoffer
Peak performance researchers at the Flow Research Collective found that masters spend 3-5x more time in deliberate practice than their peers. But here’s what they don’t tell you: it’s not about the hours. It’s about the mindset.
You already have a craft. Whether you’re coding, selling, leasing, or creating – you’re building something. The question isn’t whether you’ll put in the hours. You will. The question is whether those hours will compound or merely accumulate.
Your next project, presentation, or product isn’t just work—it’s practice. How you approach it will determine whether you’re crafting excellence or just passing time.
Excellence isn’t a destination. It’s a practice.
Tomorrow morning, I’ll be back in my kitchen, starting another loaf—not because I need to, but because that’s what craftsmen do.
