Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
When I teach writing, I have a mantra: 'Be a first-rate version of yourself, and not a second-rate version of another writer.'
What's terrible is to pretend that second-rate is first-rate. To pretend that you don't need love when you do; or you like your work when you know quite well you're capable of better.
Try to be the best version of yourself.
It's just better to be yourself than to try to be some version of what you think the other person wants.
I always put myself second - I like to make others happy.
If you go to a second-rate place, and you are first-rate, it is very difficult to do first-rate work because you do not get that critical feedback you need for first-rate work on a daily basis.
But no work from a first rate mind is ever really second rate.
The more you like yourself, the less you are like anyone else, which makes you unique.
It sounds so simple, but if you just be yourself, you're different than anyone else.
I knew I'd always be a second-rate academic, and I thought, 'Well, I'd rather be a second-rate novelist or even a third-rate one'.