i am of the conviction that the overwhelming delta in permanence between ourselves and many materials we live around leads to progressively cemented intuitions with regard to the decay of all things, including excellence.
it will always be possible to arrive at enough tomorrows to compensate for any good deed of yesterday.
as such, when i think of excellence, i am inclined to think more of the permanent than the fleeting; of the manner of the subject more than any of their acts; of the constant positive rate of change rather than the absolute displacement at any time, t.
consequently, when asked for an estimation of excellence i am likely to evaluate for relentless optimism, endless curiosity, expansive breadth, ceaseless drive, etc. most acts decay*, most qualities don't*.