Ballet virtuoso Mikhail Baryshnikov challenged the class of 2013 this morning to think of success on its own terms as it sets out into the post-graduate world.

“Do not make your goal to be the best. ‘Best’ is a label. It’s something someone else decides for you,” Baryshnikov told more than 1,000 graduating seniors at Ryan Field. “‘Better’ is more personal. It’s a process, and in my opinion, ‘better’ is something more interesting than ‘best.'”

Speaking at Northwestern’s 155th commencement ceremony, Baryshnikov stressed NU’s new alumni “don’t have to be brilliant 24/7” but should continue to pose tough, often unanswerable, questions about their surroundings and who they are.

Read more about Baryshnikov’s commencement address here.

— Patrick Svitek