I've been reading Andre Agassi book "Open" about his life in tennis. I really don't care much about tennis but his story is really more about a life of dedication to perfecting a craft, though tragically, the impetus to do so comes from Agassi' domineering father and Agassi' desire to please him.
And just a few nights after starting the book, I viewed a fascinating biopic on legendary football coach Vince Lombardi, infamous for once declaring: " Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing."
One feels equal parts admiration and pity for these men: admiration for the achievements and success they realized by a relentless pursuit of perfection, and pity for what they ultimately sacrifice to achieve this perfect state.
One comes away from these accounts asking: "Can excellence be realized in a more balanced way?" No one would argue that discipline, persistence and sacrifice are necessary at times in order to achieve objectives. But where does the cost begin to outweigh the benefit? Where is the sweet spot?