by Marlin Bressi

Created on: November 16, 2010   Last Updated: December 02, 2010

The late Reverend Fulton Sheen had a great quote about jealousy.  "Jealousy," he said, "is the tribute that mediocrity pays to genius."  In other words, we should view another person's jealousy towards us not as a personal attack, but as a form of flattery.  Jealousy, when directed toward someone who is successful in business or their career, can be a great form of validation.  

What is meant be validation?  Validation is irrefutable proof that we, as professionals, are on the right track.  The reality is that successful people are a distinct minority.  It is far easier to be mediocre.  Since those of us who are truly successful are few and far between, it is only natural to expect other people's jealousy.  

Some of us may feel that we have to slow ourselves down or "take it down a notch" in our careers to avoid arousing jealousy in others.  In our attempt to maintain friendships and goodwill, we hold ourselves back from our true potential.  But guess what?  Success isn't a popularity contest.  Your co-workers and acquaintances aren't going to pay your bills, put clothes on your back, or food on your table.  You are accountable and solely responsible for your own level of professional success.

If anything, jealousy should be put to good use as a means of motivation.  If all of your colleagues are jealous of you, then it means you are doing a good job and instead of slowing yourself down you should move boldly forward, knowing that you are on the fast track to true success.  Jealousy is their problem to overcome, not yours to cope with.

Unfortunately, in today's feel-good society full of political correctness and equality for all, those of us who are successful are often labeled and stereotyped.  Society expects us to hold ourselves back in order to give the slowpokes a chance to catch up.  Luckily, we still live in a capitalistic society where we are measured by our ability.  By catering to the mediocre, we are embracing a socialistic mindset which preaches that we are all equals.  The reality of the matter is that we are not.  Those of us who can, do.  Those of us who cannot, don't.  To paraphrase Orwell in "Animal Farm": we are all created equally...but some of us are are more equal than others.  

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