Competition is everywhere. It means rivalry in business and in economics in terms of products and services. There is also a competition in the workplace between co- workers, managers, leaders- for power, popularity or title or even for money. A competition between actors, singers or anyone working with someone. Even applying for a job -you are competing with thousands of people to get your dream job. There is this inevitable comparison who are better or the best. There is always a challenge to every competition.
But what about self-competition? We often heard from people saying – I am competing with myself. I don’t want to compare myself with other people. Albeit, they are some people I look up to and are my inspiration of what I am today. And yes, it feels good. It feels good to see myself to become better and better from yesterday until today and tomorrow and so on. And this is so true.
As I am on my way to search my new career and new life somewhere else, I discovered 3 things that trigger self-competence.
1.Excellence
Yes, excellence and not perfection. It means greatness- the very best. But achieving this is not easy. It is going through some tough times,some trial and error and human beings are fallible. We commit mistakes, make bad decisions until they become good experiences. Those things would help us navigate to the path to become great. We learn from it. We value experiences. Good or bad. Just keep moving. Aim excellence. Keep competing with yourself.
2.Humility
To some people, it comes out naturally but usually it needs to be learned because it is better to stay humble whilst competing with yourself. It is self-confidence without arrogance. Some defined it as modesty. It is not weak but rather exudes strength. Being authentic to everything you do and to ensure you have good intention whether you are looking for a job or even meeting people. No matter what your status quo or no matter how hierarchical the organization is - Humility speaks with your heart. Humility somehow equates self-reflection. From alcoholic anonymous once said:
“ This is not thinking less about yourself but thinking about yourself less often”.
3.Courage
It is hard to be courageous without plans and goals and yet competing with yourself is the strength to keep going. Your fears and uncertainty are quite intimidating but you need to face those things to achieve something. How many applications I sent? More than a thousand but only few responded. How many people I networked with? More than a thousand too. How many attempts I made? I can’t count now. But being brave is not enough but knowing fear is only temporary and is not real. I combined motivation, hard work, self-education and knowing what I want are enough for me to keep going and to move beyond fear to achieve my goals by competing with myself.
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