When I first showed up to register for the Los Angeles Marathon, I freaked out at seeing the thousands of “athletes.” It was totally intimidating. Part of me felt like there’d be no way I could compete with them. To my delight, I passed up 2/3 of them. However, I sometimes wonder if I could have done better had I not freaked myself out at the beginning.
It’s easy to give up on goals or underestimate your chances of achieving them when there’s a lot of competition. The cynical voice in our head likes to remind us that the odds are against us. I believe competition is less about “odds” and more about our state of mind. I’ve learned that the key isn’t to do better than others; it’s about getting into a state of mind where their presence doesn’t influence your performance. If you can persevere and perform at 100%, you can give yourself an edge over others. You’re more qualified than you think. And while all of us fail some of the time, we also can and do succeed. If it’s possible, at some point it’s probable.
Most of your competition is equally insecure and will give up early. The longer you try, the better your chances. You’re closer to success with every attempt. So don’t worry about anyone else. Be the best you possible and competition will beat itself.
For tips on how to set yourself up for success, check out the Jump Start Leadership Workbooks or The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens.
To read more motivation, check the Chicken Soup for the Soul series.
