Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about how much competition drives people. Would you describe yourself as personally competitive? How are you viewing competition ?
One of the biggest blessings of my life has been to have a brother who was just two grades ahead growing up, as well as neighbors a few years older than me too. We were far enough apart that we always had separate friends and played on separate teams, yet close enough in age that it became natural for me to play against them and their friends every time they came over to our house. I never played against the kids my age, I simply wanted to play with “the big kids.” Eventually, that notion bled onto most parks, courts and fields too.
Whether it was basketball, baseball, football or soccer, I grew up rarely competing against the kids in my grade. I was constantly playing against kids who were older than me. And truthfully, I was completely physically overmatched. They were bigger, stronger and sometimes faster too.
But the more I played against the big kids, the more quickly my skills and toughness had to evolve. Until one day, I realized that although I wasn’t the best player on most courts I walked onto, I was certainly the best player for my age.
Without realizing it, by seeing my competition as the older kids rather than those in my peer set, my game elevated to a level I couldn’t have reached otherwise.
This approach has since been ingrained into my psyche, and I highly encourage others to adopt a similar mindset. Your competition is not your peer set, it’s those two levels above you. It’s the older kids on the next court up the street.
Every time you reach a new height, look at those in the distance to try to figure out how you can be in their shoes one day.
This notion is captured in the quote above, which says to “Work until your idols become your rivals.” Fortunately I work in the for-purpose sector, where there’s a collaborative mindset amongst leaders of great companies and organizations that try to help one another rise to solve society’s most pressing humanitarian issues. I don’t see anyone as a rival in the space, only those whose impact I admire and hope to one day emulate. Those individuals are a reminder that the older kids will always be playing on some park, and it’s our collective duties to work so hard that one day we can play on the same court alongside them.
Tawanna Chalupsky
Thanks for one’sfor onesfor yourfor your personalfor afor theon your marvelous posting! I actuallyseriouslyquitedefinitelyreallygenuinelytrulycertainly enjoyed reading it, you could beyou areyou can beyou might beyou’reyou will beyou may beyou happen to be a great author.I will make sure toensure that Ibe sure toalwaysmake certain tobe sure toremember to bookmark your blog and willand definitely willand will eventuallyand will oftenand may come back from now ondown the roadin the futurevery soonsomedaylater in lifeat some pointin the foreseeable futuresometime soonlater on. I want to encourage you to ultimatelythat youyourself toyou to definitelyyou toone toyou continue your great jobpostswritingwork, have a nice daymorningweekendholiday weekendafternoonevening!
kredit 120 monate schweiz
Charlie May & the blog a la mode are just great. I totally agree with you about the comparisons with the Belgian six. This look is like the lightversion of some old Ann Demeulemeester creation.
waplag.net
Great explanations. I’ll be starting my schedule to get back into shape this week coming and your vids are brilliant and give me a lot more insight & scope so thank you
Suldivan
Great goods from you, man. Download | 007MRLUKIAN Blog I’ve understand your stuff prvoieus to and you are just extremely fantastic. I really like what you’ve acquired here, really like what you are stating and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you still take care of to keep it smart. I can’t wait to read far more from you. This is really a great Download | 007MRLUKIAN Blog informations.
Phil Drolet
Great post Adam, I totally resonate with that philosophy.
To incorporate the collaborative mentality, I would evolve the quote to:
“Work until your competitors become your allies.”
Keep up the great work brother. 🙂
Phil
Adam
Love that difference, great call!
Gwaiza
Huge thanks for being an inspiration Adam!
Adam
Thanks for reading Gwaiza!
Jose
Adam, I prefer the notion that you should always work two levels above what you are capable of and not necessarily two levels above your competition. Competition can be a yardstick to measure your capabilities relative to others, but i think it is more powerful to use your own capabilities as a yardstick to overcome your limits.
This is particularly relevant in skill traits that are more attractive to people which are driven by overcoming their own shortcomings (introverts?) vs. people which are driven by the glory of overcoming their rivals.
Thanks for tour post. Great way to star a Saturday 🙂
Adam
I love the suggestions Jose, I’ll take them into account next time I talk to someone about this specifically. Would love your insights on other blog posts too!
Allison Connor
“I don’t see anyone as a rival in the space, only those whose impact I admire and hope to one day emulate.”
Thanks for being that person, Adam, to me and so many more.
Adam
We all need people to aspire towards Allison, no doubt about that.
Nikita
Thanks Adam. It’s great one. Thanks for being a mentor.
Adam
We all stand on the shoulders of giants Nikita, find those you admire and work towards the court they’re playing on.
Irene Lyon
Great shift in perspective Adam.
LOVE IT.
I’m in the midst of creating an online course, very much modelled after Marie Forleo’s Bschool, but with different content of course. I see her as a mentor and model and someone who has done it before me.
Irene.
Adam
I feel the same way about Marie, she is the best of the best.
Ian Robinson
Great point. Surrounding oneself with people who push you to get better is paramount.
I would add that supporting your competition is also valuable. If you can support them to get better the whole environment becomes better.
Thank you.
Adam
Great point Ian, thanks for calling it out.
Sandie Ross
Adam,
I am almost to the end of the book. I have the 30 Mantras above my desk. My dream is to help educate children who are in great need of nurturing and money. I am a retired educator. I pray that my dream becomes a reality soon.
It would be an honor to meet you someday. Though I am years older than you,
I have experience working with children from around the world. I taught English to children who craved learning. I asked God to direct me, and he truly did just that. I am so grateful for the children who touched my heart and life. They taught me so much.
Gratitude and Blessings to you and your staff.
Sandie Ross in Texas
Adam
I’m so glad the mantras have been meaningful to you, continue your wonderful work Sandie.
Nettie
Thanks for emphasising that point Peter. Although it’s something I hadn’t dwelt on in my post (it was already long enough), I agree that making papers accessible for the data mining that you describe is vital. Pue1hsibrsRl7; resistance to this (I don’t know if Mike Taylor has yet