Hello, beautiful people of Read.cash.
For a couple of days, there has been a word around my mind Competition. I've been talking about it with my son. And I thought it's a good topic to write about.
We live in a society where competition is present in almost all areas of life. The idea of comparing ourselves with others, wanting to have what others have achieved is part of life. It doesn't matter if we are competitive by nature or not. And that's good. The desire to improve is what motivates us to be better every day. To set our goals in life and go for them.
"You have competition every day because you set such high standards for yourself that you have to go out every day and live up to that."
Michael Jordan
The problem is when competition leads us to feelings such as frustration and some other unhealthy feelings such as envy that instead of being motivating can become destructive.
And that leads me to think about how we face the competition that life brings every day. And how in that sense, we can be competent or competitive. And this is something that we shouldn't confuse because they are actually very different concepts. There is a big difference between being competitive and being competent.
And how I see these two concepts. Being competent is having the ability to do something and do it right. In the work arena is to have the appropriate skills to perform a job. But also to have a good performance on doing that job. Whereas being competitive is having the desire to do things better than other people.
The main characteristics of these two different traits of people as I see it are.
Competent people
Personal goals are set. And those goals seek personal fulfillment.
They seek to improve their skills and abilities.
They are usually people who like teamwork.
When it comes to celebrating achievements, they can share their success with others.
I am, as I've said, merely competent. But in an age of incompetence, that makes me extraordinary.
Billy Joel
Competitive people
Personal goals are set based on exceeding someone else's results.
They hardly give up trying to achieve their goal.
Sometimes they are not good at teamwork.
They don't like to share their achievements with others.
I play to win, whether during practice or a real game. And I will not let anything get in the way of me and my competitive enthusiasm to win.
Michael Jordan
Is it better to be a competent person or a competitive one?
I don't see them in an excluding way. And I think that both have their advantages. A competent person can be competitive in some circumstances. Competitiveness can be a great motivating agent. And competitive people pursue their goals with great determination, and this is without a doubt a strength. However, highly competitive people can sometimes go to extremes. And can cross the fine line that can separate what is ethical from what isn't.
How I see myself. Am I a competent person or a competitive one?
I consider myself competent rather than competitive. Although when younger in my professional career, I was a bit of both. But in a good way, because I've always liked teamwork and sharing my achievements with those who are part of them.
In life, I have met many competitive people. Some have been an inspiration to bring me the aim to be better myself. But others have gone to extremes and have succeeded in harm me. But that has also been lessons learned.
But over the years, I focus more on my achievements. On myself, on developing my abilities and my skills. In learning and in being more collaborative with others.
And what about you? Are you a competitive person or a competent?
To you, my dear readers, thank you so much!
Thanks to all my wonderful sponsors! I encourage you to visit their amazing articles if you haven't done so.
Images credits on the caption
All writings are my own unless anything different is stated.
© CoquiCoin
Until next time! ;)
September 4, 2021
For me, being competitive destroyed my mental health and sanity. That's why i tried to improve myself to be a competent person who can help others rise instead of competing.