Competition Isn’t the Enemy—It’s the Training Ground

There was a time when I thought competition was only for athletes. As a hurdler and basketball player growing up, my version of “competition” meant pushing to beat a time, win a game, or earn a spot on the starting lineup. Later, chess became another arena where I got to test my mind under pressure. But the older I’ve gotten, the more I’ve come to see competition in a broader sense—not just as a game, but as a mindset.

We compete in more places than we realize: in the classroom, in our careers, even with ourselves. The point isn’t to always win—it’s to sharpen, grow, and show up with intention. That’s why I believe every young professional should embrace competition—not to become obsessed with outperforming others, but to develop the kind of habits, confidence, and resilience that only competition can teach.

Sports Taught Me More Than Just How to Win

I started hurdling in high school, and I quickly learned that it’s a sport that doesn’t forgive sloppy technique or lack of focus. You can be fast, but if your rhythm is off, you’re going to hit a hurdle—literally. That discipline stuck with me. You learn to show up early, train through discomfort, and control your breathing even when your legs are burning.

Basketball was the opposite in some ways. It wasn’t just individual discipline—it was team chemistry. You learned to communicate, trust your teammates, and bounce back after mistakes. You learned to play your role, even if it wasn’t the spotlight one.

The common thread in both? Compete to improve, not just to win. When you’re in a competitive environment, you don’t coast. You’re engaged. You’re self-aware. You learn how to set goals, how to deal with loss, and how to rise again.

These lessons translated directly into how I approach challenges now—whether it’s a demanding project, a tough academic load, or navigating a fast-moving workplace.

Chess Built My Mental Endurance

Chess added a different kind of challenge. Unlike sports, where everything is physical and reactive, chess forces you to sit still, think deeply, and anticipate multiple outcomes. In a lot of ways, it was the perfect counterbalance to my athletic side. It taught me patience, pattern recognition, and strategic decision-making under time pressure.

The best chess players don’t panic. They don’t rush just because the clock is ticking. They know how to stay calm, evaluate the board, and make the best move they can with the information available.

That mindset has been a huge asset. Whether I’m in a group project, studying data, or working through real-world challenges, I try to think like a chess player. Stay calm. Think ahead. Be adaptable.

Compete with Yourself First

One of the most important things I’ve learned through all of this is that your toughest competitor should be yourself. The external scoreboards—grades, job titles, social media metrics—will always be there. But they don’t tell the full story. What really matters is: are you better than you were last week? Are you showing up with more clarity, more skill, and more purpose?

Healthy competition starts with internal standards. It’s about pushing your limits without burning out, about striving for growth without losing your sense of self. I’ve found that when I focus on competing with myself, everything else improves naturally. I listen better. I work smarter. And I recover faster when things don’t go my way.

What Real Competition Builds

Here’s what embracing competition—on the field, the board, or in life—has taught me:

• Resilience: You don’t win every time. But if you compete often enough, you learn to recover quickly, take feedback seriously, and move forward without fear.
  
• Discipline: Competing at a high level requires preparation. It forces you to build habits, stick to a process, and follow through—even when motivation dips.
  
• Focus: When the stakes are high, distractions fall away. Competition sharpens your ability to prioritize and stay present.
  
• Humility: Competing exposes your weaknesses. That’s not a bad thing—it’s how you grow. Losing with grace teaches more than winning easily ever could.
  
• Drive: A competitive mindset gives you a reason to get better. It keeps you hungry, curious, and open to learning.
  

It’s Not About Beating Others—It’s About Becoming Better

Competition can get a bad reputation. Some people associate it with ego or aggression. But I’ve found that the best kind of competition isn’t about beating others—it’s about unlocking your own potential.

When you compete with the goal of becoming better—not just being better—you start to seek out the right kind of challenges. You surround yourself with people who stretch you. You focus less on comparison and more on self-improvement. That’s when competition becomes something really powerful—not just a game, but a growth strategy.

Don’t Shy Away from the Challenge

If you’re a young professional trying to find your edge, don’t shy away from competitive environments. Join that intramural league. Enter that case competition. Volunteer for the hard project. Challenge yourself in small ways every day.

Compete with your full heart—not to prove something, but to grow. Whether it’s on a track, in a meeting room, or across a chessboard, competition will teach you more about who you are—and who you can become—than comfort ever will.