You have probably often heard the saying “there’s nothing wrong with a good dose of healthy competition”. I think there is a lot of truth in this saying.

When I think back to my childhood I recall spending alot of time as a competitive sportsperson. All the hard work and hours put into training really did pay off. I was selected for various representative school teams and enjoyed competing and achieving at the highest level.

Later as an adult I enoyed and was successful competing at local and international music competitions. There’s nothing quite like the sweet taste of success eh?

There is however a downside to competition and that can rear its ugly head when the focus moves from the heart felt enjoyment of the activity to winning at all costs. The latter being an egocentric response to a neurotic need to achieve at all costs rather than for the love of the thing itself. The mind must win at all costs! This experience is short-lived.

When you compete from the heart you do so from being totally “in the zone” or “in the moment”. In this scenario the process is paramount and the result is secondary. The process is reward in and of itself!

There are long term benefits to be found here. Life becomes easier as you are less attached to outcomes.

This does not mean however that you don’t give your best and go all out. Competing from the heart does not mean that you don’t try and become ineffective.

It is important that you compete well because in doing so you help others to raise standards. Without healthy competition Richard Bannister may never have broken the 4 minute mile barrier. The same could be said for all other records of note.

There is no reason why you cannot have it all. Be a fierce competitor, be a winner, be successful, enjoy yourself but don’t lose sight of what is important – your humanity!