I have been struggling with the idea of wanting to Be Better and/or reaching excellence and I find there's more people discouraging of it than we give credit to.

Been working my way through Michael Jordan's documentary on Netflix and one) I can relate to, and feel that energy MJ sends out when he says he wants to win and two) IME, there are so many people who will dissuade you from this in so many subtle and not-so-subtle ways.

There's this one episode (second to last; can't remember the number) in which they discuss whether he was a "nice guy," and they all say no. But I really, really, do not see how anyone could reasonably expect someone like MJ to be a "nice guy" in a team sport if he wants to win.

Now, some people are going to read this tweet and react, "You don't need to be an asshole..." That's not what I'm saying. I'm saying excellence requires something extra, and it often isn't, "You're already doing a great job!"

In bodybuilding, they talk about "sacrifice" a lot and I shy away from that word because ppl misinterpret it to mean "sacrificing" dinners with your family, and it can, but that's really not a big deal.

(Doesn't feel like a sacrifice to me.)

There appears to be a ... loneliness to desiring to Be Excellent above all else? That's the sacrifice.

In MJ's case, you get people bitching that you're not "role model" enough for them, which isn't his job, nor did he ask for it.

I don't know how to settle this in my head. I don't like hustle culture or bravado or machismo, however you want to describe it, but that MJ vibe is a real thing. It's this deep soul-burning desire to Be Excellent and sometimes people just don't get what this takes.

Long-winded way to say:
Accountability has to hurt, I think.

[Examples of ways people dissuade you:

1. Who are you to want this? Narcissist?
2. Your expectations are too high.
3. You're not nice enough.
4. Take a break.
5. Taking it too seriously.

Etc.]

Thank you for the replies. Maybe it's not accountability that *has* to hurt but in some cases how it's expressed or the toll it takes on someone will be expressed differently depending on who they are.

Annnd we're back to --> don't matter. Ppl attract like ppl. I'm good with MJ.