I remember talking to a manager in a company I was dealing with years ago whose first question to me was, “Who else is on the team?”  After some discussion, it came out that his big concern was whether he would be the weak link in the chain.  ”I don’t have to be the strongest member of the team,” he stated matter of factly, “but I’m sure as heck not going to the weakest.”

I’ve thought about that for a long time.  Is that a good way to look at it?  I may not be the strongest, but I’m certainly not going to be the weakest?  At first glance it may appear to be a good strategy.  If you’re never the weakest, you’re not in danger of losing your job.  But it robs you of the satisfaction and sense of accomplishment that come from being the strongest.  If you feel no particular need to be the strongest, you’ll likely never be.  

Nobody gets to be the best by accident.  They’re driven to get there — and to stay there.  People who demand excellence of themselves are always looking forward.  People who are focused more on “not losing” (as opposed to winning) are always looking back to see if they’re still ahead of those behind them.  By not looking forward, they struggle to ever excel.

What way are you facing in your business?  Are you trying to win, or are you trying not to lose.  They may seem very similar, but they’re actually worlds apart.  Winners focus on winning.  Losers, tired of losing, focus only on not losing.  I have a saying in my office that says, “Where you were satisfied, there you are now.”  It means that you’ll drive yourself only so far and then rest on your laurels.  Which are you resting on (or are you resting at all?)  Keep your eye on the prize long enough and eventually it will be yours.