Pietersen's team overwhelmed South Africa with four convincing victories
Kevin Pietersen was delighted with England's 4-0 one-day series win over South Africa, but warned against complacency on the winter tours ahead.
Pietersen's side were denied the chance to secure a 5-0 whitewash after rain wiped out the final match on Wednesday.
"You make sure you enjoy the times like these because it'll be tough in India.
"I don't settle for mediocrity; I want guys to perform, to chuck their talent around and be the best people they can possibly be," said England's skipper.
"There's no point living if you don't want to be the best you can be."
Pietersen has been greatly encouraged by the way his team has played to beat the world's second-ranked one-day side.
I can't fault anyone for anything. I can't ask for anything more as a captain
Kevin Pietersen
England went into the series ranked sixth in the standings and having lost the Test series but, helped by the magnificent form of all-rounder Andrew Flintoff and the return to the side of paceman Steve Harmison, they transformed their fortunes in impressive style to move up to third in the rankings.
They scraped home in the first match of the series before securing emphatic wins by 10 wickets and 126 runs respectively in the second and third matches and winning the fourth by seven wickets on Sunday.
"Playing against a quality side like South Africa in a one-day series you're obviously an underdog - but the way the guys have come out and played and practised has been absolutely exceptional," said Pietersen.
"I can't fault anyone for anything. I can't ask for anything more as a captain.
"I also have a philosophy of really enjoying the good times - because when the bad times come along you long for those good times."
The next challenge for England is the potentially multi-million dollar Stanford Series in the West Indies in late October and early November.
They then head off to India, where the pitches and weather will present very different challenges, for a series featuring two Tests and seven one-day internationals, before travelling to the West Indies in late January for four Tests and five one-day matches.
Next summer will come the great test when Pietersen's side seek to regain the Ashes from Australia.
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