Quest to be the GOAT never ending

Do you know what makes someone worthy of the title “greatest of all time,” or GOAT?

It’s so much more than natural talent, excellent coaching or dumb luck.

No, it’s the constant effort to improve. Even those at the top of their game must keep getting better, no matter how many victories.

The GOAT designation can be applied to every kind of occupation.

One example that comes to mind quickly is Tom Brady, superstar quarterback of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, formerly of the New England Patriots. He was recently interviewed in the Wall Street Journal Magazine, and talked about how he strives to get better every day.

In particular, he was asked “What’s one thing you have too much of?” Brady answered: “I have too many people who tell me too many nice things. I feel like I need more critical evaluation of certain things. So many people want to try and please me. A lot of people don’t want to let me down. But it’s nice to get a real straight, truthful answer.”

Like Brady, I realize that the only way to get better is with honest feedback. The amazing thing about Brady is that he is already the GOAT and yet he wants to get better. He knows that if you want to be great, you must continue to improve.

It’s much the same in business. Look at Warren Buffett, investment genius and one of the world’s richest people. At age 91, he is still trying to get better every day. He has no intention of slowing down.

As Will Rogers said, “Even if you are on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” Complacency is death. Even if you’re doing the right thing, if you’re not moving forward and getting better, you’ll get run over. The competition will overtake you.

Elon Musk is another shining example. From electric cars to outer space, Musk just keeps reaching further and further – and now his SpaceX company has been ranked as the second most valuable private company in the world.

Every day is a chance to be better. We can always make room in our lives to get better, whether that means improving our health, our finances or our personal relationships. Even if we think things are perfect, there’s likely an area or two where we could put in a little extra work.

We didn’t invent this concept. I daresay humanity would still be living as it did in prehistoric times had our ancestors not tried constantly to improve their lot. A hundred years ago, who would have imagined the innovations in communication, transportation, medicine and so many other parts of our lives. A hundred years from now, who knows?

Mackay’s Moral: If it ain’t broke, you