There are two ways being “undefeated” can affect you. One way can make you a nervous wreck, a target. Heavy is the head that wears the crown, and everyone wants a piece of you. You’re destined to go down a peg.
The other way is better: being undefeated becomes a shield, a warning. You’re untouchable. Your record speaks for itself, and anyone going up against it finds themselves a nervous wreck instead.
What’s the difference? The realization that the “undefeated” label, like anything else, is a tool. You can use it well or use it poorly.
If you’re on top of the heap, don’t make more enemies than you have to. Don’t gloat; share. There will be plenty of people angling for you anyway – there’s no reason to add to the pile. Confidence comes from knowing your own abilities, not disparaging others. If you assume everyone else is bad, you’re bound to get surprised.
When you’re undefeated, the most important adversary is yourself. Any day you aren’t better than yourself the day before you’re getting closer to the upset. It’s a responsibility – but the trail of the defeated left in your wake needs to include the avatars of your own growth, or you won’t be undefeated for long.
The Opportunity Machine 