It is all right if you are not the best

@scheng1 (24649)
Singapore
February 5, 2016 8:18am CST
Life in Singapore is stressful from the cradle to the grave. Part of the reason is that there is a constant striving to be the best. The government always stresses that survival depends on the people, since we do not have any natural resources at all. The instinct to survive against all odds drives our grandparents, parents, and us to aim for the best. Our students compete with the rest of the world, and emerge as the best in Mathematics. As a nation, we are the best managed in Asia, and probably the best in the world. Our sovereign funds are rich and powerful. In everything else, we want to be the best. That is why life is so stressful. Sometimes I think there is no need to be the best. There are areas we can do well naturally but we do not have to compete to be the best in everything.
4 people like this
4 responses
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382307)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Feb 16
We were very impressed with Singapore when we were there. It is certainly a very well managed and well run country. But it could be stressful living up to such high standards.
1 person likes this
scheng1
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
6 Feb 16
It is definitely very stressful living here. The kids were taught from young to compete with the rest of the world, and that we do not have any natural resources to rely upon.
1 person likes this
scheng1
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
7 Feb 16
@JudyEv Same way that people get rich. For many years, the government did not spend. All the surplus were used for investments.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382307)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Feb 16
@scheng1 We always wondered how it came to be the financial giant that it is.
1 person likes this
S George
@shshiju (10342)
• Cochin, India
6 Feb 16
That's the lesson of business always compete for perfection. "A man gain all the world and loss his own soul" What is the benefit?
1 person likes this
scheng1
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
7 Feb 16
No, the lesson of business is not to compete for perfection. You just have to be the best without the need to be perfect.
S George
@shshiju (10342)
• Cochin, India
8 Feb 16
@scheng1 Just have to be the best means you will comparatively like other business firms. There are always changes and new deals. so you have to update
Alfredo Rossi
@amadeo (111937)
• United States
5 Feb 16
Most of my best are goneNo need to.I am the best
paigea
@paigea (36143)
• Canada
7 Feb 16
Not everyone can be the best all the time. Someone has to be second don't they. Life does need some balance.