It happens at school, at awards night, at work, and at social gatherings. It happens during competitions, sport events, and contests. It happens between strangers, family members, and friends. It happens everywhere you go, but it always happens with yourself.

We’ve all received that 3.8 GPA when so-and-so received that 4.0, worn that silver token around our necks when the one on our right is gold, held that assistant position while the newbie dominates as CEO, and we’ve all took that hurtful comment to heart from someone you don’t even know.

I’m here to tell you, the title of second best is only a phrase and nothing else. We associate ourselves with being second best because we punish ourselves by believing what other people think of us, when we know deep within that it’s not true. Yet we let society get the best of us and we start to downsize ourselves. Living up to expectations and experiencing that struggle of pleasing someone else is a very good way of increasing self-doubt and self-destruction.

Second best is a forced mental state. None of us are born being the runner-up and none of our destinies have second best written between the lines. Even if we tell ourselves we’re not good enough for something, it doesn’t mean we are and we can’t improve. Being second best doesn’t come naturally. All of our potential to accomplish something that’s important to us and to reach the top of success are there, engraved within ourselves. We just have to persevere and not let any gossip get in our way.

The way I see it, if you’re going to reach for that second place, do so with the mentality of taking another step and grasping onto the next bar that’s in reach. If you want to get better at something, try, try, and try again. There will be numerous obstacles in your way that will once again hinder your progress, but having faith in yourself and knowing that you can do better means you will succeed. Being mentally and physically strong can be a challenge, but you have to be determined and put everything you've got into play. You may be your biggest opponent, but you’re also your greatest ally.

Sometimes all you can do is do your best. You cannot let criticism get to you either. Unless you receive instructive criticism, your mind cannot give in and accuse yourself of total failure. It’s unhealthy to linger on comments that are judgmental, biased, and useless towards fulfilling your potential and your goals. You just have to push through and say to yourself, hey, I’m one of a kind, the only version of me. I’m an original and no one can duplicate who I am.

So please, I ask you. Be your number one. Be the one who you believe in the most. Be the one you focus on the most because in the end you’re the only one who matters. You’re worth more than others think you are.