By Diego Nascimento
Believe me: I have answered this question a few times and went far beyond “Yes” or “No”. Arguing is part of my life, and although this title has a masculine noun, this questioning happens to both men and women. Before offering tips on what your position should be, I want to make it clear that I will talk about skills and not about kindness toward others (this is a topic for another time).
Nowadays it is said that you must always be number one: be the best at your job, sports, in your studies, appearance, on the Internet … in everything. Without a doubt, we need to offer our best in what we do. However, we have practically seven billion people living on the earth’s surface and putting them all on top of the podium is physically and even mathematically impossible. We have limitations (yes, all of us), and this shows us that we are human and we all have flaws and difficulties. On the other hand, this scenario does not justify sloppiness, procrastination (we will leave that one for later) or any other lack of attitude that results in settling. There is a space ahead of you, and if you do not prepare, someone else will take your spot.
In my lectures I always say that success is not necessarily linked to your bank account, designer clothes or the “car of the year.” Success is when you go to sleep after an intense day of activities knowing that you have fulfilled your obligations in the best way, having left words arrogance, pride, dishonesty and the expression “Brazilian way” behind you. If your work results in financial gain and popularity, excellent. Otherwise, anonymity does not make you inferior to anyone.
Are you good enough? Look for the sincere evidence for this answer, but if dedication is a constant thing in your life, your skills will be highlighted. Reading the Holy Scriptures we learn that doing our best is also a way to please God. The Apostle Paul, writing a letter to a group of people in the city of Colossae (Greece), recorded the following: “Whatever you do, do it with all your heart, as for the Lord, and not for men. It is Christ, the Lord, whom you are serving. “ – Book of Colossians 3: 23 and 24.
Until the next article.