Never mind what others do; do better than yourself, beat your

The wise voice of William J. H. Boetcker, a man known for his teachings on liberty and self-reliance, once declared: “Never mind what others do; do better than yourself, beat your own record from day to day, and you are a success.” In these words lies a teaching older than kingdoms and empires: that the greatest contest is not against another, but against the self. For envy of others builds only bitterness, but mastery of one’s own soul builds greatness.

To say “never mind what others do” is to reject the ceaseless comparison that enslaves so many hearts. The world shouts to us about the achievements of others, their crowns, their victories, their fame. But Boetcker reminds us that such gazing outward is a distraction. The true race is not on their path, but on ours. The farmer cannot measure his harvest by his neighbor’s soil; he must tend to his own field. The warrior cannot measure his honor by another’s strength; he must sharpen his own blade.

Thus, the heart of his wisdom is found in the command: “do better than yourself.” Each day becomes a battlefield, not against rivals, but against yesterday’s weaknesses. Did you falter in discipline? Rise stronger tomorrow. Did you fear today? Face courage tomorrow. In this way, life becomes a sacred journey of constant growth, and the standard of success is not comparison to another, but elevation of oneself. This is the path of true freedom, for no man can rob you of the progress you make against yourself.

History offers us radiant examples. Consider Mahatma Gandhi, who did not seek to surpass his adversaries, but sought to master his own anger, his own impatience, his own flesh. Through daily victories of the spirit, he grew into a man whose soul could shake empires without ever raising a sword. Or recall Florence Nightingale, who did not measure her work against others in medicine, but each day strove to improve her care, her methods, her compassion. By beating her own record, day after day, she transformed the face of nursing and brought healing to countless souls.

Boetcker declares: “and you are a success.” Here lies the profound redefinition of greatness. Success is not riches, not trophies, not applause. It is the quiet triumph of being better today than yesterday. It is progress measured not by the fickle gaze of the crowd, but by the honest reflection in the mirror of the soul. This is the success no thief can steal, no critic can tarnish, no enemy can undo.

The lesson is clear: guard your heart from envy, from endless comparison, from the restless hunger to outshine others. Instead, set your eyes inward. Ask yourself each day: Am I more disciplined? Am I more loving? Am I more faithful to my work than I was before? If the answer is yes, then you are a victor, even if the world does not notice. For the greatest empire you can ever conquer is yourself.

Practically, this means: keep record of your own progress. Write down your small victories, however humble. Do not despise them, for they are the stones upon which success is built. Challenge yourself daily—not to surpass another, but to surpass who you were yesterday. And when you fail, rise again, for even in rising after failure you have grown beyond the self that once stayed fallen.

So let Boetcker’s words endure in your heart: success is not the conquest of others, but the conquest of self. Forget the noise of comparison, and walk the narrow road of daily improvement. For the one who beats their own record, day after day, builds a life not of envy, but of glory—the quiet, unshakable glory of becoming their truest and best self.