The Effect Of Greatness

"Excellence withers without an adversary," we find philosopher Seneca quip in his staple text, Letters From A Stoic. With nothing to keep us sharp, we run the risk of going dull.

In an Olympic race (or any competitive arena with opponents physically present), one’s “adversary” is obvious, occupying an adjacent lane. In a matter of seconds, you or they become the standard. It’s no surprise, then, that many races in which an Olympic or World Record is set yields many a personal best among runners in that same race. The excellence so clearly present in the winner brings forth new levels of excellence in all.

According to World Athletics, the Paris 2024 Olympic Games saw the following achieved in the athletics discipline: three world records, thirteen Olympic records, 99 national records, and 311 personal bests. On a world stage, 311 athletes reached a level of performance they'd not yet exhibited until that point.

These underemphasized achievements—excellence influenced—are each incredible in their own right; medal or otherwise, the act of outdoing oneself is proof enough of having risen to the occasion. It’s for this reason that we shouldn’t underestimate the impact of who we surround ourselves with. Those around us have the power to bring forth our best or our worst.

If excellence inspires, mediocrity justifies. If those I know don’t try, why, then, should I? For this reason, the pursuit of anything less than what we’re capable of can be a disservice not only to ourselves, but to others.

We benefit others when we are the highest version of ourselves, be it on the field, in the boardroom, or anywhere in between. The effect of greatness is that of eliciting that something more by way of seeing that "something more" on display. It is part of what enables us to astound ourselves.

Observe greatness, and in the manner wholly defined by you, become it, too.

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