Being > #1

Being > #1: Redefining Success and Finding Joy in the Journey

Introduction: The Myth of #1

We’ve been told our whole lives that being first is everything. The best student, the top athlete, the number one performer, the most successful entrepreneur. First place means prestige, recognition, and success. And so, we push. We strive. We exhaust ourselves.

But what if I told you that being—simply existing, experiencing, and growing—is greater than being first?

Being > #1.

Let that sink in for a moment.

Because sometimes, being #1 comes with a price. And sometimes, not being first is the greatest gift of all.

Section 1: The Cost of Being #1

I want you to picture an Olympic athlete standing on the podium, gold medal around their neck. A lifetime of dedication, early mornings, grueling training, sacrifices. They’ve reached the pinnacle of their career. But what happens next?

Many Olympic athletes, after winning gold, fall into depression. They spend years chasing the top, only to realize once they’re there—it’s fleeting. The applause fades. The cameras turn away. And they’re left with one haunting question: What now?

This doesn’t just happen in sports. Think about CEOs, doctors, entrepreneurs—people who dedicate everything to being the best in their field. How many of them reach the top only to find themselves burned out, disconnected from their families, or questioning whether it was all worth it?

The world tells us that being first is the goal. But it doesn’t always tell us about the sacrifices—the missed birthdays, the lost friendships, the mental toll.

And here’s the secret no one talks about: There is no finish line. No moment where you’ve “made it” and get to rest forever.

So what if instead of obsessing over being first, we embraced the idea that simply being—fully present, fully engaged, fully alive—is actually greater?

Section 2: The Power of Being Present

There’s a Japanese concept called Ikigai, which means “reason for being.” It’s about finding joy in the process, not just in the outcome.

In Okinawa, Japan, there’s a village where people live longer, happier lives than almost anywhere else in the world. Not because they have the best healthcare or because they’re the richest, but because they don’t chase being number one. They wake up, they tend their gardens, they drink tea with friends, they laugh. They live in a way that embraces the journey, not just the destination.

This idea is everywhere when you start looking for it.

Have you ever seen a child completely absorbed in play? They don’t care about being first. They don’t care if their tower of blocks is taller than someone else’s. They’re just in it. Fully present. Fully alive.

That’s the power of being.

But somewhere along the way, we lose that. We start measuring our worth in rankings, awards, and comparisons. We start thinking, If I’m not the best, am I even good enough?

And that’s where we get it all wrong.

Because life isn’t a competition. It’s an experience.

Section 3: The Blessing of Not Being First

Not being number one is often seen as a failure. But what if it’s actually a blessing?

Think about the second-place finisher in a race. They don’t have the pressure of defending a title, yet they’re still incredibly accomplished. They can enjoy the sport without the weight of expectation crushing them.

Or consider the person who doesn’t take the highest-paying job but instead chooses one that allows them time with family, time to travel, time to live. Are they truly losing? Or are they actually winning in the game of life?

There’s a freedom in not being first. A freedom to explore, to pivot, to enjoy the little things.

Some of the greatest musicians, artists, and thinkers of our time were never “number one.” Vincent van Gogh never sold a painting while he was alive. Emily Dickinson’s poetry wasn’t recognized until after her death. But does that make their work any less valuable?

And what about in our own lives?

The quiet moments—the ones that aren’t ranked or measured—often end up being the most meaningful.

Think about the last time you laughed with a friend until your stomach hurt.
Or the time you watched a sunset and felt completely at peace.
Or the moments with family, with love, with joy—things that can’t be put on a scoreboard.

That’s what being > 1 really means.

It means realizing that life isn’t about where you place—it’s about how you live.

Conclusion: Living the “Being > 1” Mindset

So how do we start living this way?

Three things:

1. Measure success by fulfillment, not comparison. Instead of asking, Am I the best? ask, Am I happy? Am I growing?

2. Celebrate progress, not just achievement. Every step forward matters. Don’t wait for some final victory to enjoy the process.

3. Prioritize being over proving. Instead of trying to impress, focus on what truly matters to you.

Because at the end of the day, no one’s going to remember what rank you were in your industry, what award you won, or what title you held.

They’re going to remember how you lived. How you loved. How you were.

And that’s why Being > #11.

Thank you.