Is 2nd Actually The Best?

"First is the worst, second is the best, third is the one with the hairy chest!"

We've all undoubtedly shouted this line at a friend or sibling after taking 2nd place in a contest. Be it a trivial game at recess or the state championship, for those of us that are competitive, nothing seems to sting worse than 2nd place. It was Dale Earnhardt, one of the greatest race car drivers of all time, that is most often credited with the phrase, "Second place is just the first loser."

In the United States, we put a lot of emphasis on being first. We start children in sports at age 3, encouraging them to try and play on the 1st string offense, or make the top level team for their division. We have political candidates who talk about "winning" over rival countries and being first in matters ranging from climate change to socioeconomics.

Most people would agree that 2nd place is indeed not the best. However, I think we can make a case for it.

In a close competition, oftentimes it's the 2nd place opponent that provides the drive and motivation the winner needs to succeed. Would you really push so hard if you didn't have someone nipping at your heels?

Coming in 2nd leaves more to be desired. There's a chance that by finishing 2nd once, you put yourself in a position to outwork your competition by providing a means of motivation. You know what it is to lose and will do what's required to not feel that way again.

Oftentimes those at the top are those that fall the furthest. Winning is a feeling of elation that is unmatched... unmatched by the feelings in your marriage, your friendships, your career, and other areas of life that may seem more valuable to someone who's true "win" in life comes from those categories.

In business being 2nd may be extremely useful. Those that pioneer a product may make mistakes that the 2nd place entity can learn from.

These thoughts could just be baseless ramblings from a 2nd child trying to justify his life's silver medals. Or, maybe we consider that we don't necessarily have to get 1st place to win.

Fact

According to a University of Virginia study published in the Journal of Health Economics, Olympic silver medalists tend to live longer and earn more than gold medalists

Action

Tell someone a story this week of a time you got 2nd place.

Question

What 2nd place finish do you need to be proud rather than embarrassed by?

Quote

"In the end, it's extra effort that separates a winner from second place. But winning takes a lot more that that, too. It starts with complete command of the fundamentals. Then it takes desire, determination, discipline, and self-sacrifice. And finally, it takes a great deal of love, fairness and respect for your fellow man. Put all these together, and even if you don't win, how can you lose?" - Jesse Owens