We all experience competition. Whether it be in sports, in business, or in relationships, we are all influenced by competition. Competition is a form of comparison. It functions like a GPS coordinate to let us know where we are on any particular scale.

Competition reflects to us not only the progress we have made, but also the work that is yet to be done. As such it has the potential of bringing out the very best in us. Those that seek to be the best at their craft or sport cannot reach their goal without competition. The most optimal form of competition is that which leads to personal development. Regardless of how we stack in comparison to others, if we are focused on our personal best, we will always reap the benefits when competing with others. When our motivation is pure we really cannot lose.

We've all seen people who believe winning at any cost is better than losing. While this worldview can bring a person to high levels in their craft or sport, it diminishes their humanity. This is because the motivation isn't to be personally better, but to be better than others. The focus of the dark path is deeply seated insecurity and jealousy. This is because a prideful identity has formed in place of gratitude. This path leads to isolation and on the day the winning stops, it is the end of that identity because they never learned that people don't rise alone. Winning on the outside while losing on the inside is not really winning.