My son and I attended an indoor championship track meet last week. Before the meet we discussed the goals and expectations. My son’s first goal was to place first in his heat but after further discussion he decided that he wanted to break his personal record. At previous meets he would make comments about the size and height of the competition. While we were at the meet, my son glanced to his right and said. “Dad, check him out, that kid looks like a grown man!” Although he was a big kid, he was slower than a three-toed sloth. After the man-child ran his race, I whispered in my son’s ear, “Remember, focus on your personal best”. Today, tunnel vision is a good thing!
We tend to compare ourselves to gauge how we rank with the competition. This type of thinking is a trap! If you look to you left or right the race is over. Bigger doesn’t mean better and taller doesn’t mean faster. What must we do stay on top of our own game?
Beware of 3 things that may harm us when we compare:
1. Self-imposed limitations – When we continue to compare ourselves to another person we place a lid on our capabilities. In order to lift the lid we must search from within and discover new limits to stretch ourselves to the max.
2. Disregarding your unique ability – You are uniquely wired like no other. Take full advantage of your differences. Create your own routine or your own way of getting into the zone. Rely on your own belief system regarding how you run the race.
3. Wasting valuable cycles – Don’t ignore your strengths by comparing yourself to the competition. Don’t waste time pointing out the flaws of others. Focus on developing your gifts and talents to make an impact. When you are at the starting line resist looking at the competition in the other lane. Look at the finish line. You are the competition!
This year is the first year my son has participated in indoor track. He did not place, however, he broke all 3 of his personal best records. More than likely he was still comparing to some degree, watching the times and sizing up the competition. But at some point he shifted his thoughts to HIS RACE and he reached and exceeded his goals.
What more can you do to avoid that snare of constant comparison?
I’m a very competitive person, but competitive with myself. I want to be the best that I can be, and if that means that I’m eventually better than everyone else, then so be it. But I don’t go around comparing and contrasting myself with other actors if I can help it. It’s also, I think, the key to my success.
– Wentworth Miller
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