They have not confined themselves to the beaten tracks; they have never been satisfied to do things just as others do them, but always a little better.

They always pushed things that came to their hands a little higher up, a little farther on.

It is this little higher up, this little farther on, that counts in the quality of life's work.

It is the constant effort to be first-class in everything one attempts that conquers the heights of excellence.
It is said that Daniel Webster made the best chowder in his state on the principle that he would not be second-class in anything.

This is a good resolution with which to start out in your career; never to be second-class in anything.