bhaskar saikia

There’s a saying: “Meet me at the top—the bottom is too crowded.” At first, it sounds like a motivational punchline. But if you look closely, it’s a reflection of how competition actually works in life, business, and careers.

Take starting a business. If you choose to sell what everyone else is selling—cheap, common, easily available products—you’ll find yourself in a crowded marketplace. The same is true in a career: if you aim for the jobs that require little specialization or skill, you’ll be competing with hundreds, maybe thousands, of applicants. In both cases, competition is fierce, margins are thin, and survival often depends on how low you can undercut the next person. It becomes a downward spiral—a pit where everyone fights for scraps.

Now flip the picture. At the top, the crowd thins. If you design premium products that only a few can create, or target high-value clients who expect excellence, the number of competitors drops drastically. If you aim for top-tier jobs that require expertise, reputation, and relentless pursuit of excellence, the applicant pool shrinks. At this level, you’re not caught in the chaos of mass competition—you’re setting yourself apart.

Of course, the higher you climb, the lonelier it becomes. That’s the paradox of the top: fewer people make it there, and fewer still stay. The loneliness is not necessarily a drawback—it is the price of distinction. Where most give up, settle, or follow the crowd, the few who push further carve out space where the noise fades and the rewards multiply.

So what does this mean in practice? It means you have a choice. You can stay at the bottom, jostling with the masses, constantly bargaining, competing, and undercutting. Or, you can invest in becoming exceptional—developing rare skills, building a brand that commands respect, offering value that few can match.

The bottom is crowded because it’s easy to get there. The top is lonely because it demands effort, patience, and vision. But it is at the top where true opportunity, freedom, and recognition live.

So if you’re serious about growth, don’t meet me in the crowd. Meet me at the top.