The Benefits Of Competition

By Lev Novak

You know how in the movies a boxer will listen to every bad thing a critic said about them, tape them up on his wall, and then just go nuts on them? There’s a reason he does that.

When was a kid I thought it would be a very painful thing to do. I don’t like criticism, believe it or not, and I thought, well, poor boxer. Everyone was mean to him. If I were him, I’d just ignore the critics.

I’d ignore them right the way to second place.

Because that’s human nature, you know; contentment is going to be there, seductive and easy. You don’t really want to do more than you have to, even if you do. Human nature loves a nap. Ease and comfort are prime, seductive things. Think about how dangerous Netflix is! We binge on relaxing, on letting go, on chilling out.

Now, I am not a heavy worker. Really, I’m not. Contentment is great. But is chilling all the time real contentment?

It isn’t. Think, for a moment, back to grade school. Remember how amped you got for capture the flag? It wasn’t childish- it was instinctive. We’re made to compete, and part of that is simple enjoyment. Don’t run from it.

If you work out hard, your sleep becomes that much better. But it can be hard to work out, literally or metaphorically. It is, after all, work. Even if you should, even if you’d enjoy it, how do you push yourself to do what you should?

Simple; get competitive.

Who are those schmoes above you? Who is that schmoe critiquing you? Make up rivals, real or imagined, benchmarks of success beyond where you are already. Because when you can see beyond your immediate future, you’re able to see something better for yourself too.

Have one sided rivalries. I do. It works pretty well.

So what can you do for yourself?

1. Set Goals With Purpose

Don’t say “I want to go to the gym” because if there’s no reason, guess what? You simply won’t. Because, as it turns out, you don’t want to go to the gym. You want chips and a nap.

If you just say “I want to” without a reason, you won’t fool anybody. Instead, you have to change what you want.

Do you want to stunt on them haters? Do you want to prove them wrong? Did you lose an arm-wrestling match in 9th grade and Josh just kind of snickered about it and that made you way madder than you thought it would? Good. Harness that. Use it. Move with it.

2. Take Pride

Do a better job than you have to. Take no joy in getting away with less.

Yes, even for homework. Because slacking saps your life. Success, even as a dishwasher, makes you feel proud and capable.

3. Remember Your Past And Future

Don’t forget your past struggles or your improvement from where you were. Don’t take success for granted. Savor it. Relish it. Become addicted to success and you will keep finding it wherever you can.

Remember your future. There are always places to go, things to explore, successes to be had. And if you remember to be grounded and proud of what you have, that truth of future possibilities won’t drive you crazy- it’ll make you excited.

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