Second-handers
There are two types of people.
First-handers and second-handers.
First-handers desire to be great for the sake of being great.
Second-handers desire to be great so others can perceive them as being great.
There is a big difference. One is internally driven, while the other is externally driven.
Second-handers aim for acceptance, first handers don’t.
Second-handers sell their soul in exchange for society’s approval. They avoid original thought to be in line with the current dogma. They don’t seek to do great things for themselves but for the praise of others. They have no true sense of self. Their sense of self is defined by others. They want a fancy title or a luxury car not for the way it makes them feel, but for the way the world will look at them. Every step they take is not for themselves but for others. Everything comes secondhand. For them, nothing has implicit satisfaction or value. In the same sense as a tree falling in a forest, for them, if they do something great, but no one is around to perceive it they question if something great happened.
First-handers are ostracized. They are kicked out in front of the firing line. They are denounced for their thoughts and beliefs that do not fit in with society’s norms. But, they own themselves and don’t mind. They do not walk a straight and narrow path to please the peanut gallery. They are willing to forgo society’s praise to be someone they are proud of. They stay true to themselves.
Embrace your own identity and become who you truly are. Be great for greatness's sake. Don’t lose your sense of self.
“They have no concern for facts, ideas, work. They’re concerned only with people. They don’t ask: “Is this true?” They ask: “Is this what others think is true?” Not to judge, but to repeat. Not to do, but to give the impression of doing. Not creation, but show. Not ability, but friendship. Not merit, but pull. What would happen to the world without those who do, think, work, produce?”
Ayn Rand