A recent conversation with my son, sparked by his growing passion for drums, turned into a moment of reflection. It gave me the chance to share my own philosophical take and dive into a deeper, more meaningful discussion with him. We found ourselves exploring what it really means to be the best. It’s not a competition. It’s not about being better than anyone else. It’s about becoming accomplished and understanding what it takes to get there. It’s about becoming the best version of yourself.

Striving to be the best isn’t a contest. You’re not in competition with anyone. It doesn’t mean you think you’re superior, even if others project that nonsense onto you. That’s their burden, not yours.

The pursuit of excellence is personal. It’s a quiet, internal quest. It’s about being better than you were yesterday, last week, last hour, and to do it right up until your last breath. It’s about growth, not comparison.

And here’s the truth: people will resent you for it. Some will dislike you, despise you, even hate you, some without ever really knowing you. That’s not your fault. It’s theirs. It’s just part of the noise of life. You learn to tune it out and keep moving forward.

Some people act out of ignorance. Others out of envy. Some are driven by a subconscious need to tear down that which they could not build or do themselves. Others are just miserable people and are blatantly intentional about it. Either way, don’t let them burden you or your goals with such noise.

Work hard. Be patient. Make sacrifices. Practice. Put in the time and do it for you. That’s how quiet confidence is built. That’s how character is forged. So yes, it’s okay to strive to be the best, but do it for the right reasons.

Real confidence doesn’t come from thinking you’re better than someone else for any reason. It comes from effort, discipline, and earned mastery. Some people will never see that distinction. Some choose not to with intention. Again, that is not your fault, it is their’s, and it is not your burden to carry.

And as I told my son, after all the philosophical meanderings:

“Do what you do. Do it well. Do it right. Do it for you. Besides, fuck those kinds of assholes anyway, because you have the right to be the best version of YOU, and nobody can take that away from you. You own that shit.”