Let me be the biggest

And if that means I have to forego any ethical or societal responsibility, so be it.

I really don’t get why so many people want to be the biggest in the world with their work. The bestest, the greatest, number 1.

I see it in the corporate world. Organisations all want to be the number 1 in their industry. Entrepreneurs all want to be the biggest name in the market. They all want to be the Steve Jobs or Bill Gates of their branch.

I’ve heard so many times how people idolize the rigorous and/or self-destructive routines from people like Pablo Picasso or Charles Bukowksi.

It’s always about leaving the grandest of legacies. Building a name, an empire that people respect. If the right people value your work, that’s all that matters.

But man, never have I heard anything about what being a ‘good’ person does for your impact.

In business, success never seems to be measured by positive influence on others. By making life better, easier or more fun for someone else.

Money doesn’t even seem to be enough anymore. So many want to be immortal in, what looks like, a pretty obnoxious way. Only based on measurable achievements.

What’s that kind of success worth in the long run? You’ll never stay number one or the bestest.

Your name and legacy will always be forgotten in the end. Whether that’s in 1, 10 or a million years.

I imagine they know that. Is the moment enough? Do you want to be remembered for being number one once in your life?

And if you ever reach being nr. 1, what then?

Will you be happy? Will it be enough? Or will you defend your position tooth and nail until you die? Probably never being satisfied by how your successor takes over?

I understand striving for something. I understand looking for some form of manmade purpose in life. Something to work towards. But I don’t think I’ll ever get why the thing to strive for is to be the name on everybody’s lips. And not a happy little memory in someone’s life.

Because being able to influence someone’s life in a positive way sounds to me like the best legacy there is.

If we’re to believe Einstein and Nikola Tesla and everything is energy, why not strive to bring as much good, positive energy into the world as you can?

It’s not like you can’t inspire others when you’re number two. Or number 100. Or not measure your number at all.

Why are we glorizing people who have ‘achieved’ a form of capitalistic western individualized success as the ultimate goal? The people like Steve Jobs, Pablo Picasso, Elon Musk (shudder) or even Ghandi.

How do we measure their success?

By the money they made or the legacy they built?

I can’t help but think of all the areas because of which I would never strive towards a life like theirs. Were any of them a good person? Did they make the people around them happy? Were they good for their employees?

Or are all their abusive behaviours (substance, women, employees) rendered unimportant because they made something?

I’m reading these emails from this writer who made me feel so many things through his writing. Stories and perspectives that really got to me.

Nowadays his writing is littered with idolizing a very narrow-minded version of success. Wanting to be the greatest in the business. Looking up to people with huge legacies, no matter who they’ve exploited or mistreated in the process.

I don’t feel as deeply as I did anymore reading his stories. To me, he no longer embodies a balanced guy. He just looks power- and status-hungry now. The easiest people to corrupt.

I might feel too strongly about this. I don’t think wanting money or recognition is evil. I don’t think trying to make ‘it’ in whatever industry is bad. Everyone wants something. I do too.

The thing that baffles me is wanting to be number 1. Especially if you want to be the greatest in the whole world. Striving for that feels so hollow to me. Not just seeking the approval of strangers, albeit in your little corner of the world, but striving for everyone in the industry to know your name. It’s giving weird pick-me energy.

And when you want to be thought of as the best by the entire industry, it’s so much easier to completely ignore the wellbeing of the people and the planet you’re in contact with.

What’s your ecological footprint worth when you’re striving for greatness? Or your employees’ health and happiness when you are working towards a ‘greater goal’?

Anyway, that’s my little rant for today.

I’m otherwise having a very nice little Saturday afternoon. It was just hailing here and now the sun is back out. Gotta love the weather in the Netherlands :)