It feels good to win, right? We’ve all had a winning hand in Uno!™ or beat the “final boss” in a videogame. Winning is why we play games or enter competitions. It provides a sense of satiety to our insatiable hunger to be number one. But what if I told you that it feels better to take second place; would you believe me?

Whether in your personal or professional life, being second is good because it allows you to grow. It indicates that you haven’t reached the ladder’s top rung yet. Imagine you are number one at everything; would that still give you a sense of purpose or encouragement? Probably not, which is why I believe it’s much better to be second best. It may seem counterintuitive, but knowing I’m not the best at something encourages me to try my best – to do better, be better.

Rather than waste time relishing and celebrating a win, I feel it’s more important to improve and “beat the high score”. Knowing that you are second best should be humbling and encouraging at the same time. I’m pretty good at playing the piano but I know I am nowhere near the best, so I constantly try to improve and hone my skill. It builds my character and encourages me to play faster and more accurately so that I may, one day, end up as number one. If it turns out that I can’t be number one – which is highly likely – I only need to accept that and continue anyway.

That is the ultimate act of existence, to accept your flaws and try to improve instead of believing wholeheartedly that you are already a winner. Being the best doesn’t provide the opportunity to improve or grow. You can take my advice or leave it, but step off your pedestal; number one, stretch yourself to the limit and prove yourself and others wrong about your abilities.

Accept that it’s incredible to be in second place. In a way, that indicates that you are winning at being yourself!