Skip to main content

IN THE COMPETITION OF LIFE, IT IS YOU VS WHO?



It's true that life is like a competition. And we all are like athletes on the track of life running toward our desired destination where we can get our rewards, just as an athlete run on his track in other to win the race. 

He runs with the mindset of winning against his fellow athlete; winning to get his reward and to become the pronounced winner above his fellow competitors. There's no human that's without the enthusiasm to be at the top of his game. We all want to win.

But here's the problem,

We relate the competition of the Olympics with that of life; runnning the race of life with the mindset of winning against anyone that's ahead or behind us. This can be in the business world, academic sector, marital status, etc.

We do this especially when we feel threatened and pressured by the success, skills, potentials, accomplishments of others trying to measure up ours with theirs.

If you're this person, I tell you, that is an unhealthy journey you're embarking on.

One thing about unhealthy competition is, it instigates and promotes negative emotions and attitudes like envy, bitterness, hatred, jealousy, arrogance and in many cases, insecurity. 

Insecurity in the sense that, you feel you aren't good enough because you're measuring yourself up with the success of others.

Arrogance comes in when you feel (or trying to prove) you're better than others.

Envy, bitterness, jealousy and the like emanates as a result of paying so much attention and focus on other people's lives rather than your own track.

The competition that encourages all these are very unhealthy and may result to depression.

If you want to enjoy peace and make tangible progress in this life, you have to throw away the thought of you being in a competition with another fellow. Even if that person is a blood relative.

You need to understand that In the competition of life, it is YOU vs YOU, not anyone else.

You have to mind and focus on your track, run on your lane and at your own pace. Don't be too much in a hurry in life's pursuit.

Just because your friend, Samuel looks like his making stupendous progress in his business doesn't mean you won't. John your mate, may be looking 10 years ahead of you when it comes to substance and riches but it doesn't mean you're nothing.

The funny thing about life is, we are made differently with different purposes and destinies. And also, life is of times and seasons and every individual must be part of the time and season factor. Please, don't rush yours. Life are in stages, men are in sizes.

I know it's looking like things are working out well for your friends or peers, but stay on your track and run on it not minding who's ahead.

Your competition should be you. It's YOU vs YOU. 

YOU vs your past self, your past failures, past achievements, your weaknesses, your inabilities, your ignorance, your ego, your bad attitude and all.

You should be competing with the negative aspects of your life as to become the better version of yourself which God Almighty has predestinated you to be.

Quit looking at others. If you let yourself get pressured by what they've accomplished in their life, you'll end up depressed. And many who makes competition a defense mechanism ends up making those people their rivals in life's pursuit. 

Another fact about unhealthy competition is that it causes you to channel your emotional and psychological well being and energy to strategizing how to win against a perceived rival. Defeating a rival becomes a primary goal as a competitor. This can be very nasty for you. I don't suggest you avoid it, I urge you to abstain from this kind of competition for your own well being.

Be patient. Patience is a crucial virtue every human must posses. You can read up one of my articles, That virtue called patience HERE to understand what I mean.

It's assured that you will get to where you're going in life so long you maintain a strict focus on your lane.

Looking at the track of another or busy looking at who is behind or ahead of you causes distractions and lessen your speed. 

Focus!

Run like no one else is involved. Run with you as the competition in mind.

That's a great way to grow tremendously. You might be surprised at the progress you've made and the level you've attained because you're minding your business.

In addition to that, you're only permited to allow the success of others motivate and challenge you to be better. Anything more than that is a NO!

Hope this blessed you?

Shalom.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

MY DEADLY FRIEND

I had this friend I never knew was a foe till I understood its deadly traits.   The worst part?? I feed it myself unknowingly. Imagine feeding what kills you slowly. No, it's not an external being or thing but comes from within.  And no, it's not personal to me but a generic problem amongst millions of people out there. Comparison! Yes, comparison! It shows itself through three different forms :  Emotions , c ommunication   and   Identity . You would agree with me that these forms can also be components that constitute friendship. This is to elaborate how comparison poses as a friend while stating its significant harm. THE EMOTIONS INVOLVED  Some people think of comparison as a tool for growth. I mean, if other people's success and progress can keep you awake and thinking all the time, then you would want to do better. That's what you think, right?  Comparison would surely give you a lot of motivational lines like: "If my friend can do this, i can do i...

WHEN PURPOSE DOESN'T LOOK POPULAR

One of the basic need of humans is to be seen. The need to be wanted, accepted and approved by others. And in our world today, where visibility and popularity often connotes value, walking in the light of purpose can feel lonely and somewhat insignificant. It seems like everyone is moving faster, shining brighter, and getting noticed.  On the other hand, you who seek to live in obedience to God's instruction per time  don't draw attention. Your purpose looks slow, hidden, or even strange to others. What happens then? The truth is, God’s purpose for your life won’t always look popular. Sometimes, He calls you to build when no one else understands what you’re building. He calls you to walk a path that doesn’t make sense to the crowd. That's not really comforting, right? But understand that there's a difference between living for purpose and living for popularity. Purpose is about fulfilling God’s assignment for your life. It’s about obedience, faith, and surrender. Wheth...

HOW TO BUILD CONFIDENCE WITHOUT LOSING HUMILITY

You know, I truly love the virtue called humility and sincerely admire humble people. But you see folks that are extremely humble yet unapologetically confident — this, I can never resist. I could't help but wonder how they strike the balance until recently. You can see humility yet confidence is an aura they exude. I had to research on it and I discovered the "how-to" behind this amazing twist which I'll be unfolding here.  First off, let's understand this: T here is a thin line between confidence and pride. It takes some level of mastery to avoid breaking that line.  Have you ever tried to be confident but felt like you were being “too much”? Maybe you spoke up during a meeting, posted your small win online, or walked into a room with your head held high, then immediately wondered if you came off as proud. It’s something many struggle with: wanting to believe in themselves without seeming arrogant. Society often makes it worse by mixing up humility with self-dou...

MY LITTLE THOUGHTS!!!

I read something that kept me in thoughts for some time now and I saw a new light in it. "Therefore i say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat and what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on..." (Matthew 6:25) These are the questions i asked myself after reading it: • "Is the above scripture saying i should not bother about my life or ensure i make something out of my life?" • "Does it mean i should just allow life happen to me and accept whatever it brings to my table (my life)"? I thought it that way because that verse is literally saying,  "you know what, just relax. God got you. You don't have to work or stress yourself. He'll take care of you as He does to the birds of the air and lilies of the field. (Vs 26 & 28)." But same Bible says we should work. The word of God critically downplays laziness and idleness. "For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: T...

SHUT THAT WINDOW

There are reasons the windows of your house is meant to be shut, even if not completely. There should be limited access into the house. It helps prevent unwanted things from creeping into the house. In as much as the window was created to allow the reflection of the brightness of the day into the house and for ventilation, it must be closed to an extent, to avoid insects and unwanted substances intruding the house. In this context however, the windows that needs to be shut are the windows that leads to your heart. Your heart (physically and spiritually) are as important as the air you breathe, because the heart is the seat of core activities that keeps you alive and also moulds your life. Physically, your heart is the muscle at the centre of your circulation system. It pumps blood around your body as your heart beats. This blood sends oxygen and nutrients to all parts of your body, and carries away unwanted carbon dioxide and waste products. Literally speaking, you can'...

KEPT AWAY FROM GOD, YET UNNOTICED

If the devil wants to pull you away from God, he wouldn't need to show up with horns and fire neither would he come to you with outright denial. No, that's too obvious.  He’d be subtle, clever, and quiet. He’d use everyday life. He’d twist the good into distractions, and sin into freedom. He wouldn’t scare you — he’d SOOTHE YOU into separation from God in a way that seems harmless on the outside but destroying you from inside out. And you know what subtle individuals do: they cook up a well planned scheme, waits for your weakest moments and strike! We have to be conscious of the devil's devices and how he'll use it to slowly but effectively take us away from God. (2 Corinthians 2:11) 1. Comfort Over Conviction You are kept satisfied and comfortable so that you think you don't need God.  You get the job, the contract deals, the house, the relationship — life feels stable. Suddenly, prayer becomes optional. Church becomes your rarest go-to. You’re not against God, qui...

NOT JUST THE REGULAR CHRISTIAN

"I'm a very good Christian...a born again Christian at that." "I'm not just a regular Christian because I always go to church and partake in Christian activities." ...and you think that's enough reason to tag you a Christian beyond the ordinary? Please, before thinking you don't fall under the category of a regular Christian, I'd love you to read this article to the end with understanding. In many nations of the world, especially my resident country, Nigeria, many families and individuals acknowledge and believes in Christ which makes them Christians in a literal sense. It may be because it's a "religion" passed down as a family heritage or an influence from family members.  It may be because of christain social influences and networks. It can be exposure to christianity through education or basically for selfish motives (what they can benefit from God). Not all Christians are TRULY Christians in its true context. We ind...