The term G.O.A.T. (Greatest Of All Time) is often applied to superstars of sport and business, of stage and screen.
But did you realise that if you are better than you were yesterday, you are your own G.O.A.T. of that!
Perhaps you are thinking that doesn’t count. Maybe it only counts when there is an official record of the achievement. The Guinness Book of Records or front page of the paper.
If that’s the case, do you realise how many people achieve great things who don’t get recognised?
Here are some you may not have heard of:
- Nellie Bly: around the world in
8072 days! One her own. Note: She took with her the dress she was wearing, a sturdy overcoat, several changes of underwear, and a small travel bag carrying her toiletry essentials. She knew how to pack! - Cleisthenes: Though many people credit Thomas Jefferson as the father of democracy, the honour actually lies with the Greek philosopher Cleisthenes. Who? Yep!
- Pope Leo I: All popes are famous aren’t they? Pope Leo singlehandedly persuaded Atilla the Hun to back down from his invasion of Italy. Did he get a gong? Nope! Should’ve!
- Percy Julian: Pioneered the drug industry. After he developed the chemical synthesis of hormones like progesterone and testosterone, he became the first African American chemist inducted into the National Academy of Sciences. His research also laid the groundwork for the modern day steroid.
So if you’re waiting for recognition from others … breathe in … hold … no keep holding …
This means the recognition of your achievements, the possibility to be the G.O.A.T. is in the hands of others. Not everything is statistical like:
- Most number of wickets (cricket)
- Most number of 3 pointers (basketball)
- Most number of Oscar wins
- Most number of Oscar nominations (without a win!)
And what if others don’t want to recognise your feats? What then?
This is my fourth blogpost in four days. That is a record for blog posting streaks in my household. I am the G.O.A.T! Tomorrow, when I post my fifth, I’ll be the G.O.A.T. again. You may think that is unremarkable. But if I am to post every day for 100 days or 1,000 days, I have to do the four day streak and then the five day streak.
Over to you … what have you done today, or plan to do today, that will make you the G.O.A.T? How will you be your G.O.A.T. tomorrow.
Let me know!
Don’t belittle your achievements.
