The difference between "better than" and "the best."

You may have thought that being better than your competition by default meant that you were "The Best" at what you do, at what you produce, or at how you serve your customer.


But I believe there is a key philosophical difference between being "better than" and being "the best."

Being better than the competition implies that whatever they are doing you are going to be as good as them, plus one degree. Hmmm, just one degree, that's not much, is it? When you are trying to win a race or a game you don't have to be too much better than or execute much better than your competition.

For example, in a 400 meter race you can win by hundredths or thousands of a second! A better start off the blocks, a stride that is a fraction of an inch longer, more forward lean at the finish line and you win ... by a hundredth of a second. No doubt winning is good, winning is fun, winning beats losing.

Or, look at the (American) game of football ... you can beat your opponent by one touchdown, one field goal ... or even one point. But is beating your opponent by one point enough? In a game that is timed aren't you taking a big chance if you decide to let up because you've pulled out in front by two touchdowns before the half? Do you come out in the second half and hope to just keep them from scoring more points? No. Do they concede defeat because you are two possessions ahead of them? No. Yesterday's (11/18/12) Patriots & Colts game was a prime example. Happily, I write that the Pats beat the Colts 59-24. Did the Pats let up at the half because they were up 24-17? Nope. Did the Colts quit because they were down by 7? Nope. Both teams kept giving it their all until the final seconds ran out. Do some people or teams get accused of running up the score? Yes. Do they care? Nope.

Think of Apple. They are considered the best at what they do; they have incredible customer loyalty and incredible profits. Currently they are producing the I-Phone 5; arguably their best phone so far. Do you think they will stop there or do you think the geeks at Apple are thinking that the I-Phone 6, 7 and 8 will each be their best phone ever?

Your competition will keep on trying and so should you! You shouldn't just try to beat them, you should try to play or compete to the BEST of your ability. You should always, always, always try to do your best.

There is a significant difference between "good enough" and giving it your "best" effort. As my dad always says, "If it's worth doing at all, it's worth doing right." And doing it right means giving it your best effort. Challenge yourself, your team; reach farther, reach higher. That's what the best do, day in and day out!