“Your #2 is our #1 business”
(on the truck of a septic tank cleaning company)
I won a spelling bee contest in 4th grade. It was the last time I finished first, with one exception. There were memorable 2nd places, though, and I decided that for an overall body of life’s work, #2 isn’t so bad.
As a kid, I was an alternate on my Little League All-Star baseball team which is like 2nd place to the 15 kids who made the first team, the 1st placers. Nevertheless, I got an All-Star hat, inclusion in the team photo where I’m smiling like a 1st placer, and 58 years later no one knows that I was an alternate, a 2nd placer.
(upper right…smiling like a fox)
In high school I made the golf team. The coach needed bodies to fill out the roster and I knew which end of the club to hold, so there I was, playing golf daily on local courses for free. Not a bad deal for being just a player. And my college application (yes, I included it under ‘extra curricular’ activities), never mentioned I was #6 on a six-man team.
Uncle Sam called and I attended the Army’s Drill Sergeant Academy at Fort Ord, CA as a reservist and was #1 for five weeks, until I caved under the pressure of being at the top and finished #2 when I marched my classmates outside the boundaries on a final practical exam. Perfection is an important criteria for an Army Drill Sergeant. Still, I earned a ‘Smokey Bear’ hat and added a stripe. Ironically, when I graduated, I was asked to come back as a full time drill sergeant. They must have had a shortage of #2s. I declined.
During my sales career, I finished 2nd on several occasions to the top sales person. For awhile, I started to feel like #2, but I got a ring, handshakes and the usual accolades from management, the same as #1, so I got over it. Besides, I got more laughs at my acceptance speech and that made me feel like #1 for the night.
No, settling for #2 in life’s contests isn’t so bad. It’s in love that you want to finish #1. And I did. Recently, I surprised my wife with a reminder and brief celebration of the 51st anniversary of our very first date. She wore a gorgeous black & white dress to our college Christmas dance in 1965. I walked her back to her dorm, asked her for a kiss goodnight and have been #1 since. Quite an exception, wouldn’t you say?
“Being No.2 gives you the glory of being at the top without the pressure of being No.1.”
(Rose Budnkoski)
S'amusing 
You’re clearly No. 1 where it counts! Great story, Steve.
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My mantra, “I’m no.2! I’m no.2!”
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I love that you remember the date of your first date! Does she also? Sweet either way:).
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She does after I remind her. Thank goodness for smart phone calendar reminders. But I like remembering, recalling and discussing important dates. The wedding anniversary is a big deal but I think the first date is a really big deal. And she looked beautiful that night. Thanks for your nice words.
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Well done! On all fronts. If you keep up with people who win/don’t win those T.V. singing contest shows, you’ll find that #2 (or 3 or 4…) often ends up with a more successful career than #1. Funny how that works. #1 is way overrated if you ask me!
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I’ve rarely won anything, won a cooler once. Being number 2,3,4 is not a bad thing. Another great post!
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Thanks. I loved the septic tank cleaner’s motto on his truck. And it’s true.
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Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!
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