“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
Something that I have come to terms with as I matured and got older is that I run into people who are much better than I am. I have accepted it ,learnt to acknowledge and understand it; some are younger, stronger, richer, more ambitious, cooler, good looking, the list goes on and on; the law of relativity comes to life once again. I never for once had any doubts about my capabilities but the fact remains, someone out there will always perform better than I can.
I ran into about a 30 year old or so chap in a meeting earlier during the day, who could hold an argument close-grip and send everyone back to back with no notes or references to sway the meeting towards his pre-planned direction. I could not do that when I was about his age; even though I could pin my statements and support them during my advocacy era . This chap made me remember that; that was just about all I could do. “You’re going to be a monster.” I told him as we left the meeting.
I often meet women and better youngsters all the time. Some of them are even popular in their areas of expertise. I am only human and get a little jealous or irritable at times with their level of expertise, even if it is only for a moment. And then I remember that life is not a competition–at least, not in any conventional way. You’re not racing neck-and-neck with your peers to be the best in life. I make it sounds like a miserable way to live life I know. Go ahead and reprimand me for being cheesy;….. but your only competitor is yourself.
I look back at myself and I am pretty much excited and somewhat content with where I am at today. It is essential not to lose sight of how I have progressed till so far. I reflect on that journey while focusing on being better than I was yesterday and I can pretty much say I am doing fairly well. Perhaps a little bit more ambition is necessary and warranted, but I am doing well nevertheless. I do get into my panic every once in a while over how seemingly little I am accomplishing on a day-to-day basis; that is fine. It drives me to get up a little earlier in the morning and get a little more done.
At the end of the day, I want progress. I want it in droves and I want it now. I want to be better than I ever was, I will remain hungry, I am practically coming apart at the joints from everything I want to do right now. I am getting closer and closer to my goals. When that milestone comes and goes, it’s essential to hit the ground running.
Your only competitor is yourself.
MT endorses himself…