Don’t Be Afraid to Compete
“Competition is striving to reach your potential and relentlessly pursuing a competitive advantage in everything you do.”
- Pete Carroll
In a world that often preaches the importance of collaboration and teamwork, the idea of competition can sometimes be seen as divisive or even detrimental. However, I believe that competition is essential to personal growth and development.
I grew up in a competitive household. I started with a couple of strikes against me in my life, so I was always fighting to stay even with the pack. Being competitive became very normal for me. It has done well for me for over 60 years, and I have no doubt my competitive mindset will continue to serve me well for the rest of my time on this earth.
Professionally, I was blessed to be matched with Pete Carroll, who exuded competition. Every element of his organization was built on competition. Practice drills, where wins and losses were kept, and shooting baskets in a meeting room were the ordinary day-to-day events.
Being constantly inundated with the idea that everything counts and that you always need to find a competitive advantage turned normal football players into championship teams.
It is what made us different and better. When things were easy, we competed. When things were hard, we knew no other way than to compete. If you were short, find a way. If you were slow, find a way. If you were skinny, find a way. If you weren’t the smartest, find a way. Stop making excuses; find a way to be the best.
Finding a way is about finding a competitive advantage with what you have. Become great at what you have in your Crayon box, and soon, you will be the best in the world.
Although I did not have an academic background in physiology or kinesiology, I was named the national strength coach of the year in 2005 because I took what I knew and created a program that changed our team so that they would become the best in the world.
Too many people in today’s world have had competition bred out of them as they came through the academic and local sports programs. When scores aren’t kept, and everyone gets a trophy, society teaches the most impressionable population (children) that they don’t have to compete. The concept that everyone is a winner and nobody loses is poison when you enter the world of reality.
When these young people get into jobs and don’t automatically make as much as they want, only working the hours and at the pace they want, they quit. Society keeps throwing them life rafts, but they don’t take advantage of the “free gifts,” they end up right back where they started, with their hands out, asking, " Where’s mine?”
For the competitors out there who are being “shamed” for trusting themselves, believing in their path and working harder than those around them, here are three reasons why it’s okay to be a competitor:
1. Competition breeds excellence: When we strive to be the best in our field or endeavor, we push ourselves to go above and beyond our limits. The drive to outperform others forces us to constantly improve and innovate, leading to higher standards of quality and achievement. Without competition, there would be little motivation to excel and reach our full potential.
When we remove a person's drive to be the best, we make everyone the same. No one pushes the envelope. Roger Bannister ran the first sub-four-minute mile. Within months, another dozen runners had accomplished the feat. Without Bannister setting the bar, would the others have had the mental understanding that it could be done?
2. Competition fuels progress: In a competitive environment, individuals and organizations constantly push each other to evolve and adapt. The desire to stay ahead of the competition drives innovation and drives progress in various industries. Competition brings about change and growth, whether it's technological advancements, scientific breakthroughs, athletic achievements, personal endeavors, or artistic creations.
American industry has always chased the best, and in the end, its pursuits have made everyone better. The auto and fashion industries are constantly pushing the needle farther forward with their invocations and creativity.
3. Competition builds resilience: Striving to be the best inevitably involves facing setbacks and challenges along the way. However, these obstacles provide valuable learning opportunities that help us develop resilience and perseverance. By competing against others, we learn how to handle failure gracefully, bounce back from disappointments, and keep pushing forward toward our goals.
Had I not had a competitive family, I shudder to think of what I might have become. Because of my upbringing, when “bad” things happen to me, I don’t look at where I am but where I will need to get to. This type of resilience does not occur naturally; it needs to be taught. By being pushed to be the best, I became the best. If I weren’t, I would not have made it to the places I have been.
Ultimately, competition is not about tearing others down or seeking validation through comparison; it's about challenging ourselves to become the best version of ourselves. By embracing competition as a driving force for personal growth and progress, we can unlock our full potential and inspire others to do the same. So, let's remember that competition is not our enemy but a powerful ally in our journey toward self-improvement and advancement.
So, are you ready to become a true competitor? If so, step out of your comfort zone, strive for excellence in everything you do, and become the best version of yourself.
Have an amazing day!
