Why it is Okay not be on top all the time?
From the time we are born till the time we die, we are always told one thing that human life is a race and you have to be the best of all in order to get onto top.
When we were in school, our parents used to tell us that if we don’t study and work hard we would always fall behind and would never get onto top. The same thing happened when we completed school and began our college career. During our professional life also, life chases us to be on the top everytime.
But out of all of this, people fail to understand that there could only one who can be on the top and not everyone (atleast not at the same time). If this is the case, then why do everyone expects us to be on the top?
I started doing some research in my own family members who are not in the top of their profession but are still happy. And that’s when I truly understood the meaning when people says “It’s okay not to be in top all the time”.
Intelligence vs Knowledge
Yes that's correct. Most people evaluate know you basis the knowledge you have. While this is partly correct, as the most important key here is your ability to implement the knowledge you have learnt (this is intelligence). You can get the knowledge from wherever you want, but only intelligence would help you in implementing the correct skill at the right time. Remember this quote?
“Intelligence is more important than knowledge.”
Enjoy Life & Make Friendships
Being in top all the time means that you have to devote lot of time to sustain your ranking and position. Sometime it even takes away the time you want to spend with your friends and family. While not being in top means you don’t have to stress yourself all the time to make sure you are on the top. Infact, you can enjoy your life.
Understand Relationships
Just like I said in the previous point. If you are at the top, you would certainly want to retain that longer and for that you will have to put on extra efforts. While if you are not at the top, you can certainly use this time to make healthier relationships and try understanding people. This is a great skill to learn btw.
Less Expectations & Stress
Certainly. When you are on the top, everyone has more expectations from you to perfect good everytime. Sometime, this can become one of the reason of your stress. Not being in top can relieve from you that stress because everyone has marginal expectations from you (unlike high expectations).
Fixed vs Dynamic Brain
If you are in the top, you will most likely follow the same strategy to get certain things done. This is definitely a good strategy. However, there is no room for you to grow and learn more. A way to become dynamic by constantly trying out new ideas and skills. You might want to read “Always account for variable change” to get more perspective on this.
P.S. While it’s okay not to be on top all the time. However, this shouldn’t become one of the reasons for not becoming the best of yourself.