Great visual from Indexed:

More truth: the properties of physics apply to this as well.  The higher you get (especially on the high side of performance), the stronger the social gravitational pull back toward mediocrity.  And I think many people have the mistaken idea that those who are performing at a high level are doing so in sunshine and roses and that everyone is their biggest fan.  Nope.  It’s easiest to be mediocre.  Time to start climbing.

HT: Tony Morgan