The difference between Alpha and Beta

A parable about what really makes a man, retold briefly here. Its answer: not strength, height, brains or money, but acting on what you want despite fear.

The story

A kingdom announces a contest to find its greatest man, judged by a mysterious official with a secret test. The contestants each boast of what they're sure will be measured: the strongest man, the tallest, the cleverest, the best-endowed and the richest. Then an unremarkable-looking man arrives, introduces himself simply as "The Man", and stands calmly, ignoring their chatter.

A strikingly beautiful woman walks past. Every man wants her. Each one immediately invents a reason not to approach: she's in a hurry, she's probably rude, she's meeting someone, she's not that attractive anyway, she doesn't want to be disturbed. The Man simply says, "She looks like my type," walks over, and talks to her. They chat pleasantly. He asks for her number, and she politely declines: she has a boyfriend.

The others laugh and tell him he wasn't strong, tall, smart or rich enough. He doesn't react.

The judge appears and announces that was the test, and The Man has won. Her rejection doesn't matter. The true measure of a man is that he overcomes his fears and the doubters and goes after what he wants. Each of the others wanted her and each made an excuse; their strength, height, intellect and wealth only helped them rationalise their fear.

When one contestant concludes "so the test is about talking to women", the judge corrects him. Approaching is just a metaphor: a moment with a clear goal, a clear fear and a clear action. The same test appears everywhere: the career you want versus the safe option, your creative dreams versus being "realistic", standing up to bullies, starting the business, living your purpose despite pressure.

And the prize? Nothing external. Conquering your own fear and pursuing what you truly want is its own reward, and the highest one.

Takeaways

Your advantages mean nothing if fear stops you from using them.
Judge yourself by whether you acted, not by the result.
Every area of life has its own "approach".

The story

Takeaways

See also