What is the Importance of Being Number 1?
Certainly, ranking as the “best” implies unsurpassed value; therefore, it can quickly become a toxic aspect of any organization. For high achievers, spinning the wheels on the next successful goal can be highly addictive. From kindergarten onwards, children are trained to be “number one.” In many cases, this teaches children the concept of lack and results in unhealthy competition within themselves and others, which bleeds into the root cause of feeling inadequate.
Not good enough, not smart enough, not talented enough, not athletic enough, not valuable enough, and the list keeps growing. I’ve seen many clients subconsciously act out their childhood wounds in work settings and in their personal lives. Childhood is pivotal to shaping one’s overall development. The irony is that there is abundant space for everyone’s light to shine. There is no need to infuse unhealthy competitiveness among individuals that can be belittling and unkind to their peers. When one receives constant treatment from others, it can undermine their self-esteem and cause one to doubt their abilities. The skills that each individual possesses are different from those of others. However, they are still necessary.
Let’s think of music, as it is filled with endless melodies, beats, rhythms, cadences, genres, tempos, and not to mention an endless of musicians. The sound of each song is unique and has infinite possibilities for being intriguing and impressive. In the same way, every individual brings a specific set of skills to the workplace and their everyday lives. Simply because success is an abundant realm that everyone can access. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to excellence, so why follow generic rules? Newsflash: degrees and accolades do not matter if you’re not following your passion and a higher purpose. What is the one thing you have put off? I want to highlight that taking the first step in your desired direction is required. The importance of mentoring or coaching in the pursuit of your goals cannot be underestimated. This is because it accelerates your growth and clarity and launches you toward releasing any limitations stifling your growth.
