The truly successful know the benefits of being an underdog because they maintain that mindset. People who continue succeeding are those who still maintain the habits that they practiced when they were still underdogs. This is especially useful when they face new or unplanned challenges.
If you are starting a new career, a new business or restarting your life in some way; then you can consider yourself as starting from scratch again. You are in a great position to take advantage of being the underdog.
1. Your Goals, Your Rules
As an underdog, you are not obligated or pressured to declare your goals to the world. You can work quietly and in peace to achieve success. Change your direction when you need to and correct mistakes as you go along. Only you will notice most of these things.
This doesn’t mean you have to do things alone. You can slowly build your own network of people , even find mentors, who can help you in different ways. One of the benefits of an underdog is that you can go about this in your own way and at your own pace. It’s your call who you choose to work with and why.
2. Stronger Motivation
Most underdogs are less pressured than those who are already successful because people around them have low expectations of them. However, this only serves to fuel their motivation to succeed. Underdogs are not afraid to fail because they know they can learn from the experience.
Since you’re just starting out, you don’t have the pressure of having to keep up with your own reputation or defend your title or position as top dog in your field. Because of this, you have a stronger urge to prove yourself and impress the top dogs. You can surpass your own and other’s expectations as long as you work diligently and consistently.
3. Very High Creativity
Underdogs don’t often have the resources and social network that top dogs have. What they do have plenty of is creativity. With limited resources, you must find creative solutions to overcome obstacles along the way. You learn to analyze and manage your limited resources to get the best possible outcome. You have the courage to try out new ways of doing things.
Since you need to do everything yourself; you learn to do what you can with what you have and delegate where you need to. One of the benefits being an underdog is you also learn to prioritize and allocate time, personnel and other resources more efficiently. These skills will come in handy when you progress on to bigger goals in the future.
4. Everyone is Rooting for You
Although underdogs are less pressured from high expectations; people who see them going after their goals empathize with them. After all, aren’t we all underdogs until we reach the top? That’s why underdogs usually enjoy a lot of empathy and support from many people.
Underdogs tend to help others and root for each other. They are a fan of each other’s talents and skills. It’s always fun to get together with other underdogs and celebrate your wins. With underdogs, small victories are always cherished moments.
As an underdog, you are a bundle of potential. You are only competing against yourself. You are only limited by your own imagination. Being an underdog means that you have every opportunity to surprise everyone with your success. So good luck! We’re rooting for you!
Feature Image: Original Photo by John Schnobrich on Unsplash.