I was working with an artist type yesterday and I became a huge fan of his iteration process. Each time he got to what seemed like the end goal, he repeated the phrase,
We can do better
It wasn't said in a negative or arrogant tone. He was simply reassuring everyone that we were striving for the best, and we hadn't gotten there yet. It was both motivating and uplifting, and eventually, we got there.
I think I'm going to steal this and use it myself!