In a world where everyone seems to be racing toward success, competition has become an inevitable part of life. From classrooms to boardrooms, social media to sports fields, we’re constantly being measured against others. But while competition can be a powerful driving force, it can pushing us to grow, innovate, and excel, it can also spiral into something darker.
When does healthy rivalry cross the line into toxic comparison? Is there a way to stay driven without losing yourself in the chase? In this blog, we’ll explore how to recognize the fine line between healthy and harmful competition, and how to harness it for personal growth without letting it break you. I’ll be give an illustration from personal experience which I believe would help you understand more.
Competition is a good thing, especially among students, teachers and some parent encourage their children pointing out some exceptional qualities in some other students which make them stand out. When this is done, it is done in a healthy way so the student don’t feel like they are being compared with one another.
While I was in senior secondary school, there was a girl I really liked and she was the second best in my class. She always come second in position while there was a guy that always come first. Deola is the guy while Dorcas was the lady, most time Dorcas and Deola are always sitting together and because they are always drag the position of the first, they became seat mate while the guy who likes Dorcas always come second to the last in class.
Damn, I hated going to school back then because no matter how much I read or put in my effort, I didn’t get to the fifth position. I was only smarter than one guy in my class and looking back now, if that guy had passed me in our position, I guess I would hate myself. He would say things like
“Just forget Dorcas, she’s on a league of her own. At least you are smarter than me. What should I do?”
And those words would encourage me but I wanted more. After we finish our exams and we all graduated, the guy I was smarter than gain admission into the university before I did. Everyone was going to the university and I was home.
I didn’t let that eat me up, but instead I channel all those resolve into studying and bettering myself. Anytime my best friend comes home for holiday, I would tell him
“I’ll enter the university soon and pass you” he would laugh because he knows how much it meant to me. Sometimes he helps me study and I continue to look towards him as my rival and in no time, my intellect were open and I started understanding things easily.
I’m glad for the place I’m now.
The truth is, there was a time I almost started disliking myself and my friend because it seems I was never gonna get anything done. Now when such feelings are coming into your mind, what you need to do is take a break and remind yourself why you want to get better, what is the reason, is it a reason you can boldly share with anyone. If you can remind yourself the reason then you’ll find your way again.
Thanks for reading. My name is fashtioluwa.
