I have to admit, I am probably one of the most competitive people in the world.  Partly because I used to play a lot of competitive golf and partly because I grew up in Seoul as a kid where fighting was part of daily life.

This “competition”, I think can actually help you grow faster, stronger, and ultimately help you succeed.

I remember when I first got my job, there was a time sheet for people to sign in when they got to work.  The company even had a weird rule that if you were late to work, you would have to show up on Saturday to work, otherwise you’d be fired.

Well, the first couple weeks I got up late couple times.  I had to go to work on Saturday for the next whole month, it was frustrating.

Eventually, I got real competitive.  The first guy that showed up at the company usually signed in at 6AM.  I started showing up at 4:30AM.  Basically I came to work earlier than this #1 guy and went home after this guy.

WHY?

Well, like I said, I am competitive, I don’t like losing at anything.  But through that process, I got a LOT of work done, I probably did work of 3 people per day.

Now, I don’t suggest you to go out and do this as you probably will tire yourself out quickly and there’s really no point of showing up to work at 4:30AM.

This is just an example that a little competition in your life can make you more productive rather than having none.

Whatever you do, put something on the line so you can “win”, even if that means just in your head.

For example, when I play golf with pro golfer friends, we ALWAYS bet some money, even a dollar a hole makes some great competition.  This is something one of my pro golfer friends taught me, to always have something on the line.  It’s not just for the money, it’s so you focus on the game of winning.

Let’s say your boss asks you and your co-worker to make a presentation.  Start a bet between you and your co-worker, something like $10 for whoever finishes their part of the presentation first. (and right)

Now, I don’t really go to an office, I have to make these imaginary situations at home.  For example, if I can finish 30 blog posts in the morning, I reward myself by going to the driving range and hitting golf balls in the afternoon.  If I didn’t have something on the line, I would work slow, inefficient, and waste valuable time in my life.

Whatever you do, make it count by putting yourself in the hole first.  Your goal of course is to try to get out.

One of the most fun exercises I did (or I had to) was having absolutely no cash in the bank but I had to survive.  When I was put to the test, I survived because I would do anything to survive.

Perhaps you still live with your parents, don’t keep living with your parents because it won’t help you in the long run.  Force yourself to learn new skills and survive in the real world by moving out.  Once you move out and have to pay for everything yourself, that’s when your real skills will appear in your life. (yes, automatically!)

For me, I HAD to move out of my parents place after college, I simply realized how lazy I was getting.  Even though it’s great when your mom does your laundry living in your parent’s pad, the worst thing is that you begin to take it for granted and become lazy at everything you do.  Perhaps not but in my case, moving out was the only choice.

Remember, put yourself in a position to succeed, that is to put yourself in a big hole or a challenge that you MUST do something about.

Well, there goes me rambling again but I hope these stories help you, especially if you are struggling at work or life in general.

P.S. It also helps to have a close friend who is on the same level as you are, he/she will subconsciously help you by adding “competition”.  And always, try to make friends who are better at something than you are so you can learn something new. add, competition, how to, Inspirational, Personal, work

Tags: add, competition, how to, work

This entry was posted on Sunday, October 25th, 2009 at 10:05 pm and is filed under Inspirational, Personal.