Is Your Goal to be a Big Fish in a Small Pond or a Small Fish in a Big Pond?

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I really enjoy being the least talented person in a group or room.

Most people like attention, praise, and feeling superior to others. They want to be seen as the expert who knows the most. Yet, these people will rarely work their way towards world-class performers as they are not challenged on a daily basis.

A key component of creating an environment of originals is to surround yourself with those who are better than you.

• Do you think you are smart? Surround yourself with PhDs.
• Do you think you are creative? Surround yourself with artists.
• Do you think you are athletic? Surround yourself with college or professional athletes.

Obviously, the above is hyperbole. It’s not like we can just go hang out with a professional sports team, yet the spirit of the statements are important. We need to be around those who are better than us in specific areas as they will elevate our ideas and skills. This doesn’t even need to be in-person, you can surround yourself with others online, through books, in art galleries, or amazing restaurants.

Anytime I feel a little cocky as a marketer, I look up campaigns by Paula Scher and am immediately humbled. You can do the same with any area of your life where you are striving to be world class.

Whether you are a musician, engineer, designer, manager, entrepreneur, student, chef, or anything else, you can look to those who are better than you and emulate their abilities. Two things happen when you focus on humility.

1. You will slowly march towards mastery as you are constantly improving.
2. You will start to attract a group of high-achievers. Talent recognizes talent, and when you are getting better, others will want to be around you just as you will want to be around them.

Take some time to be honest with yourself. Do you seek out opportunities to be the least talented in the room, or are you always looking to be the best? It’s not an easy question to ask, but we need to consistently find ways to humble ourselves by learning from others.

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