Comments on: You Don’t Have To Be The Best

By: AverageJoe

AverageJoe — Sun, 17 May 2009 15:23:31 +0000

I liked this post. In my financial life, I definitely do this–I don’t switch from bank to bank, or fund to fund, to get an extra .50%. If I have a good deal, even if it’s not the BEST deal, that’s OK with me. It often depends on other factors, some very basic–is it convenient, do I get great service on my accounts, do I like the statements, etc?

Interestingly, in my career, I don’t settle. I love competition and if I come in second I do whatever it takes to come in first next time.

In my personal life, however, perfectionism has hindered my growth sometimes. For example, I wasn’t the best at Tae Kwon Do, so after 4 years I gave it up. Looking back, I was in the best shape of my life, but because others were more dedicated or more talented my perfectionism told me to give up as I wasn’t “the best”.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Fri, 15 May 2009 17:44:15 +0000

It’s very restful NOT to join in the reindeer games sometimes.

After getting several speeding tickets and being sent to driving school and put on probation for a year, I forced myself to slow down when I was driving.

Now I like it that way.

I start to work early enough now not to have to drive like a bat out of hell. I actually enjoy the trip every morning since I don’t have the same aggressive mindset. People pass me up and it doesn’t faze me a bit, I keep my peace of mind, without being affected by their attitude. Usually, they’re only going a short distance and pulling off. One wonders what they are really gaining by their huffy attitude. It’s all kind of silly.

By: Bargain babe

Bargain babe — Thu, 14 May 2009 17:50:43 +0000

Jim, we may both like to make smart money decisions but I HATE basketball. Never liked people getting in my way. My sport of choice is Ultimate Frisbee, very fun and games can either be super laid back or really competitive. You can find a pick-up game near you at upa.org.

By: MissMartha

MissMartha — Tue, 12 May 2009 19:24:43 +0000

I think that in many ways this article is not a devil’s advocate but a different way to look at life. My father always told me that “you may not be the smartest kid in your class but you are the hardest working.” He wasn’t trying to put me down or call me stupid but he realized that it takes more than being the smartest student to be the best student in the grade, it also takes hard work. This attitude is one that I have continued to embody as I go through life. I may not be the best at something but I can try to become better.

The only thing that I struggle with is being willing to work on the things that I don’t want to get better at but should, e.g. sports, working out, speaking another language, etc. I’m willing to get better at the things that I like to do; but for the things that I don’t like to do its hard to motivate myself! Does anyone else have that same problem?

By: Paige

Paige — Tue, 12 May 2009 13:55:31 +0000

“..you don’t have to be the best at something, or even good at something, to start doing it.”

I think that is something we all need to remember. It is important to keep trying. When your children see you doing this, they will be more likely to do so. I am always singing the Doodlebops song Keep Trying to my daughter, then one day I told her I couldn’t do something and she sang it to me! It was a great teaching moment. Great post!

By: Deuce

Deuce — Tue, 12 May 2009 13:43:37 +0000

Some achievements are never mastered, like golf, and the joy is in constantly trying to improve your performance. And some skills can’t be measured quantitatively and there is never a “best,” like playing an instrument.

I like.

By: ManVsDebt

ManVsDebt — Tue, 12 May 2009 13:15:21 +0000

I hate to admit it, but I have to agree 100% with the weakonomist. He basically stole my comment so I’ll just add a big:

Amen, brotha!

By: Cap

Cap — Tue, 12 May 2009 12:27:40 +0000

“When I grow up, I want to be a principal or a caterpillar” – Ralph Wiggum.

A topic about not being the best? That’s where I’m too, am a Viking at.

Stupid quotes aside, a pretty solid devil’s advocate post. I think for certain cultures, excelling or literally having to be the best academically is one such example. Some of the most successful people I’ve met in life aren’t the smartest or the best at what they do, they simply worked hard enough to get to where they are currently at.

By: the weakonomist

the weakonomist — Tue, 12 May 2009 12:11:10 +0000

I think we’re pushed to do our best, not so that we can BE the best but simply to maximize our own potential. I wasn’t the fastest swimmer in high school, but I pushed to be the best and reached a certain degree of success. Doing so gave me the confidence I needed to continue to TRY to be the best in other areas of my life.

While it’s no dispute who the best personal finance blogger is out there, I’m more than happy to give Jim a runner’s up trophy.