The Real Race: Embracing Personal Progress Over Competition
One of my favorite routines in the day is taking a very long morning walk. I always, always look forward to it. It helps me think, relax, and find my center amidst the chaos. Sometimes I walk slowly, just soaking in the moment, savoring the sights and sounds around me. Other times, I walk at a pretty fast pace because, let’s be honest, a baby girl has to stay in shape, right?!
One precious morning, I was on my usual walk. It was one of those fast-paced days, just enjoying myself and feeling the rhythm of my steps. As I briskly moved along, I spotted a young man walking on the road. He seemed to be heading to work, a man with an entirely different purpose, not taking a leisure walk like I was. He was some miles ahead, and you know what I did? I decided, in my mind, that I was going to catch up, walk past him, and win.
Now, this young man had absolutely no clue he was even in a competition with me. He was just an innocent man going his way. But your girl here increased her speed, determined to win this silent race. Step by step, I closed the distance between us, my heart pounding not just from the physical exertion but from the thrill of the chase. Finally, I caught up and passed him. I felt like I had won a medal! I was giggling joyfully, reveling in my victory for a competition the other party wasn’t even aware of.
Reflecting on this amusing moment always brings a smile to my face. I laugh all over again because I’m sure if he knew we were in a competition, he might have won. Or at least it wouldn’t have been as easy for me to win as it was.
But before you make jest of me, think about it. Often times, we are like that. Running a race, competing with others, and losing our joy in the process when we should be focusing on our initial why.
We get so consumed with competing with people in the workplace, in business, with friends, when our only competition should be with ourselves. Our only competition should be about getting better than we were the day before.
We run after so much that we forget to stay long enough with a thing till we win at it and become a master of it. “Mind your business” is not a cliché or a condescending insult; it is actually what your primary desire should be.
Imagine this: You have a dream, a goal that you’re passionate about. You start working on it with all your heart, and things are going well. But then you look around and see others achieving more, progressing faster. Suddenly, your dream becomes a race. You’re no longer working on it because it brings you joy or because it’s your passion. You’re working on it because you want to win, to be better than others.
In this silent race, you lose sight of why you started. You lose the joy that initially fueled your efforts. The pressure to keep up with others becomes overwhelming, and you find yourself exhausted, stressed, and unhappy.
We often fall into this trap of unnecessary competition. In our personal and professional lives, we measure our success against others, forgetting that everyone has their unique journey.
Remember the young man on my morning walk? He had no idea he was in a competition. He was simply going about his day, focused on his path. In life, too, people are often just focused on their paths, not competing with us. It’s our minds that create these imaginary races.
Instead of comparing ourselves to others, we should focus on our journey. Ask yourself: Am I better than I was yesterday? Am I making progress in my goals? Am I happy with what I’m doing?
When we shift our focus from competing with others to improving ourselves, we find true fulfillment. We become masters of our craft, not because we’re better than others, but because we’ve dedicated ourselves to our passion, our goals, our dreams.
Think of the most successful people you admire. They didn’t become great by competing with others. They became great by mastering their craft, by staying dedicated to their journey. They focused on their growth, their progress, and their happiness.
So, next time you find yourself in an imaginary race, take a step back. Remind yourself of your why. Remember why you started, and let that be your motivation. Celebrate your progress, no matter how small. Every step forward is a victory.
Life is not a competition with others. It’s a journey of personal growth and fulfillment. Mind your business, focus on your path, and strive to be better than you were yesterday. When you do this, you’ll find true joy and satisfaction in your journey. And who knows? You might even inspire others to do the same.
So, lace up your shoes, step out into the world, and walk your path with confidence and joy. Because the only person you need to compete with is yourself.
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