Blind Ambition

What is the measure of success? Often, success is simply a matter of perception.

Perception has its proper place, but how quickly it can consume and possess a man or woman. Combined with ambition, it can be blinding.

It can all start with my old pair of shoes. They’re comfortable, but I noticed someone looking at them at a meeting the other day. There’s a scuff on the side and they’re visibly duller, no matter how much polish I apply.

While I’m sprucing up the shoes, I might as well look at the rest of my wardrobe. How about a new pair of slacks? And I might as well get a coat to go along with the slacks.

And while I’m dealing with how others perceive me, I think its time for a new car. The old one is – well – old. And that car won’t look right going into my old garage – so I probably should get a new garage, presumably with a new house.

How much of our success hinges on the failure of someone else? We only get ahead when someone else falls behind in perception. If the boss thinks I’m doing a better job than the other guy, either by real results or just ‘looking good’, then I can be successful. Sometimes, that’s the sum whole of the competitive environment.

Does the much vaunted American business machine depend on who looks the best?

And then Jesus, trying to separate out the sons of Zebedee, said this, “Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else.”

What is the answer? Can you help? Comment here.