"No soy el mejor, soy el doble de mejor."

The core idea behind this quote is about surpassing greatness—not just achieving the highest level of success, but going beyond it. It's a declaration of exceptional self-belief and the pursuit of excellence that breaks through conventional boundaries.

This quote comes from Muhammad Ali, the legendary boxer known for his confidence and prowess in the ring. Ali wasn't just aiming to be the best boxer of his time; he sought to transcend what anyone thought possible in the sport. This was a period when athletes, particularly African American athletes, faced significant societal challenges. Ali's bold statement was as much about rising above these challenges as it was about his boxing skills.

To see this idea in action, imagine Ali in the ring during his 1974 fight against George Foreman, known as the "Rumble in the Jungle." Foreman was a formidable opponent, younger and stronger, and most people didn't give Ali a good chance. But Ali didn't just aim to win—he aimed to outsmart and outperform Foreman in a way no one expected. Using his famous "rope-a-dope" strategy, Ali leaned against the ropes, letting Foreman tire himself out with punches that didn't land effectively. In the eighth round, Ali sprung into action, knocking Foreman out and reclaiming the heavyweight title. That was Ali's way of demonstrating he wasn't just the greatest; he was the double greatest.

So, how can you apply this wisdom to your own life? Think about any area you’re passionate about—your career, a hobby, a personal project. Instead of just aiming to be good, or even great, push yourself to exceed what you think is possible. If you're a graphic designer, don't just aim to create beautiful designs; create something that revolutionizes how people see digital art. If you're a teacher, don't just aim to educate; aim to inspire your students to achieve things they never thought they could.

Imagine you're working on a major project at work, something that could make or break your career. It's not enough to meet the deadline and check all the boxes. Dive deeper. What can you add that no one else has thought of? How can you present the project so it not only solves the problem but also wows your bosses and colleagues? It’s about adding that extra layer of excellence and innovation.

Consider the story of a friend of mine, Lisa. Lisa is a software developer. She worked on an app designed to help people manage their daily tasks. Countless apps like this already exist, but Lisa didn't want to create just another task manager. She aimed to make it the “double greatest” app. She added features based on user feedback, integrated it with other platforms, and ensured it had a sleek, intuitive design. Her app didn’t just help people manage tasks; it transformed how they approached productivity. It became a top-seller and earned rave reviews.

So next time you’re facing a challenge, think like Ali. Don’t just aim to be the best. Aim to redefine what being the best means. Push past that invisible boundary of greatness and make your mark as the double greatest. Why settle for great when you can be legendary?