The Better Trap
Greatness comes not from believing you're great, but on the contrary, from an obsession on how to be better.
We chase the wrong thing.
"I want to be great," they say. As if greatness were a destination you arrive at one day, plant your flag, and declare victory.
But have you noticed? The people who talk about being great rarely become great. And those who are truly great rarely talk about it.
Here's why:
"Greatness comes not from believing you're great, but on the contrary, from an obsession on how to be better."
The masters don't wake up thinking about their mastery. They wake up thinking about the tiny flaw only they can see. The slight adjustment. The next small improvement.
The chef tweaks the recipe again. The writer cuts three unnecessary words. The athlete adds one more repetition.
They're not reaching for "great" – they're reaching for "better than yesterday."
And here's the twist: This obsession with better creates a gap. A space between where you are and where you could be. Most people hate this gap. It feels uncomfortable. Vulnerable.
But the greats? They live in this gap. They make friends with it. They invite it to dinner.
Because the moment you think you've crossed the finish line, you've already lost the race.
So today, ask yourself: Are you chasing greatness, or are you chasing better?
One is a mirage.
The other is a path.
Choose wisely.
~ aq