Whats Wrong in Aiming for BEST in whatever you do ?

Aarav sat in his room, staring blankly at his laptop screen. The results of his Grade 12 board exams were out, and the pressure to perform well had been immense. His father, Satish, had always been clear about his expectations - Aarav was to be the best, to do the best, and to excel in every aspect of his life. Aarav had always strived to meet those expectations, but as he sat there, staring at the screen, he couldn't help but feel a sense of emptiness. 

His mother, Anita, entered the room and sat down beside him. "What's wrong, Aarav?" she asked, putting a hand on his shoulder. "I don't know, Mom," Aarav replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "I did well in my exams, but it doesn't feel like enough." 

 Anita nodded, understandingly. She knew the pressure that Satish had put on their son, and she had always been worried about the toll it would take on him. She wanted Aarav to be happy, to find joy in whatever he chose to do with his life, but she didn't know how to convince her husband of the same.

Just then, Satish burst into the room, a wide grin on his face. "Aarav, my boy, you did it! You're among the top 1% of all students in the country!" Aarav's heart swelled with pride at his father's words, but at the same time, he couldn't help but feel a sense of dread. He knew that with success came even greater expectations, and he didn't know if he could keep up with them. 

 As the days passed, Aarav became increasingly withdrawn. He had always been a bright and cheerful child, but now he seemed to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders. Satish tried to talk to him about his future, about the colleges he should apply to and the careers he should consider, but Aarav just couldn't bring himself to engage in the conversation. 

One day, Satish invited his friend Vikram over for dinner. Vikram was a successful businessman, but he had always had a different perspective on life than Satish. As they sat down to eat, Vikram asked Aarav, "So, young man, what are your plans for the future?" Aarav shrugged, not wanting to talk about it. But Vikram persisted. "You know, when I was your age, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I tried a few different things, and eventually, I stumbled upon something that I truly enjoyed. And that's what led me to where I am today." 

Satish looked at Vikram skeptically, but Anita nodded in agreement. "I think that's a good point, Vikram. Aarav, it's important to find something that makes you happy. Success will follow if you're passionate about what you do." 

Aarav looked up at his mother, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. Maybe she was right. Maybe he didn't have to be the best at everything. Maybe he could just focus on doing what he loved. 

In the weeks that followed, Aarav began to explore his interests. He tried new things, met new people, and slowly but surely, he began to find his place in the world. He discovered a love for wildlife conservation and started learning more about it. 

Satish was skeptical at first, but as he saw the joy that conservation work brought his son, he began to see things differently. Over time, Aarav became more and more interested in wildlife conservation. He would spend hours researching animals and their habitats, and he would often volunteer at a local animal shelter. His parents were initially hesitant about his new passion, worried that it wouldn't lead to a stable and lucrative career. 

Satish would often say, "Aarav, I want you to be successful in life. You can't just chase after your dreams without thinking about your future. You need a stable job that will provide for you and your family." But Aarav was determined. He knew that wildlife conservation was what he truly enjoyed doing, and he couldn't imagine doing anything else. He had started to realize that the constant pressure to be the best had been holding him back, and he had been missing out on the joy of pursuing his true interests. 

One day, Aarav attended a talk by a famous wildlife conservationist who had dedicated his life to saving endangered species. The speaker's passion and dedication inspired Aarav, and he decided that he wanted to follow in his footsteps. He knew that it wouldn't be an easy path, but he was willing to work hard and do whatever it took to achieve his goal. He started by pursuing a degree in environmental science, and he spent his summers interning at various wildlife reserves and national parks. He worked tirelessly, learning all he could about conservation, and his hard work paid off when he was offered a job at a prestigious wildlife conservation organization. 

Years later, Aarav looked back on his journey and felt grateful that he had followed his passion. He knew that his success had not come from a desire to be the best, but rather from a genuine love for wildlife and a willingness to work hard. And he knew that his true success had come from the joy he felt every day, knowing that he was making a difference in the world. 

He thought back to the years when he had been obsessed with being the best, and he realized how much he had missed out on. He had been so focused on achieving success that he had forgotten about the simple joys of life. He remembered how he had felt constantly anxious and afraid of failure, and how he had always been looking over his shoulder to see if someone else was doing better than him. 

But now, as a successful wildlife conservationist, he knew that he was doing something that truly made him happy. He didn't care if someone else was doing better than him, because he knew that he was doing something that was important and meaningful to him. He had found the joy and fulfillment that he had been searching for all along, and he knew that it had come from following his heart and doing what he loved. 

 As he breathed deeply a fresh stream of air through his window he recalled a quote he had heard.. If you try to be the best, you may become the Number one... But if you strive to be unique, You will be the only One... 

 Avinaash Deshmukh
Career Coach