“I’ve always lived my life with the idea that if I’m going to do something, I’m going to be the absolute best at it. But as I’ve grown into an adult, I’ve realized something: that’s an absolutely exhausting way to live.
1. Recognize that things are always changing. Even if you do manage to attain the title of reigning champ for a brief, shining moment, it probably won’t last for long.
-Just think: Tom Anderson thought MySpace was the coolest thing until Facebook was created
-Only 1 person can be the best at something at a time. Even once you pull that off, someone will be behind you poised and ready to take off your crown
-Trying to constantly fend off those competitors for the sole purpose of remaining on top? It’s plain old exhausting and unproductive
2. Identify your personal best
-Let’s think about Marathon runners. Do all of the runners race because they’re setting out to cross the finish line first?
-A lot of them are just aiming to finish at all- even if they come in dead last
-Instead of trying to breeze past everyone around them, marathoners set goals of beating their personal best every time they run. They don’t really concern themselves with who’s ahead and who’s behind them
-Stop obsessing over how successful or accomplished everyone around you is and instead focus on being the best you can be
-Once you’re competing with yourself- and not everyone else around you- life gets a whole lot easier
-Many people want to be known as the best- but for really no good reason
-Before busting your hump to achieve that fleeting status, it’s important that you take some time to think about what that accomplishment actually gets you. If your only answer is “bragging rights,” you’re probably not pursuing something in your own best interests
-“But wait!” you’re likely retorting now, “Being the best means I’ll be successful and well-respected in my career field!” Sure, that’s true. But think about it this way- do you absolutely have to be #1 in order for that to happen?
-Wouldn’t you also be considered successful if you completed that challenging project ahead of the deadline or solved a complex project in your office? Would you also be well-respected if you were always kind and considerate of all of your colleagues?
-There are plenty of people out there with amazing professional reputations and important legacies that were never truly the best at what they did. That #1 spot really isn’t the be-all and end-all
-If you’re an obsessive perfectionist, asking to accept being ‘good enough’ is like hearing nails on a chalkboard
-You don’t need to be the best at something in order to still be great at it
-Don’t believe me, ask a roomful of people who the best singer or band of all time is and I’ll bet you get tons of different answers
-You can take immense pride in your skills and work without having a shiny trophy or accolade to hold your head high
-It’s human nature to crave that top spot that earns you the title of most successful and most accomplished. But, setting “being the best” as your sole aim in life and career is a sure fire way to drive yourself to the ground
-Focus on being the best version of YOURSELF
-“Here’s what to Remember when you’re Stressing about Not being ‘The Best’” by Kat Bogarde
