Superbowl XLIV (2010) became the most-watched television program of all time. Almost 22.5 million people watched the World Series in 2009, and 260 million people watched the world cup in 2006. So why are people flocking to their nearest sports bar, television set or friends house to watch these teams battle it out? COMPETITION.
The spirit of competition is infections and when ingested properly, it can be the ingredient for something great. People love watching teams, businesses, and people compete. Unfortunately some people take competition too far, but when it is handled properly (I would argue) that it is the driving force for success. As a competitive person, I can say that competition is a major component in why I work so hard and what pushes me to be better and better.
As children we are taught to respect each other’s strengths and weakness and to realize that everyone works/learns at their own pace. But let’s be real, you always wanted to be a little bit better than your friends or classmates (even if it was something silly). If you were the best, you had bragging rights and ruled whatever “throne” that particular competition earned you. This sense of competition is what makes programs like foursquare™ or Farmville successful. I know I want to be the Mayor of as many places as possible; I want most point and the most challenging badges. This program has no serious value in my life but provides silly fun and of course some good competition.
Unfortunately the spirit of competition can bring out the worst in some people. You know the people I am talking about. They have this weird fire in their eyes and almost shut down when they lose whatever competition it is they have created in their head. This is not the type of competition, I am endorsing today.
The type of competition I am encouraging you to embrace is the kind that gets you out of bed everyday and makes you better than you were yesterday. It is the kind of competition that created a hunger for success. Take the fire in your eyes and put it to good. Evaluate your priorities, establish your goals, find your competition and then go and get them.
Find your competition!
What type of competitive person do you consider yourself? How does it affect your everyday? Do you think it is the driving force of success?
Some great thought here Teresa!
I believe that competition and deadlines are what get me moving — I think this can be said for most people.
I personally love competition — but I don’t think it brings out the worst in me by any means. Like you, I think it is very healthy.
Competition / Benchmarking acts as a goal to surpass and gets me going. Somedays it gets me out of bed early but usually more likely to keep me up later for a final push.
Great stuff
Bryan,
I completely understand. I consider benchmarks and deadlines a competition with the company. I refuse to fail or let the deadline beat me.
Thanks for the awesome comment and keep working your way to the top!
Teresa
T – this is a great post. While I am not a user of 4SQ, I see competition as a good thing. It is what should drive us to be better. After all if you aren’t the lead dog, the view never changes.