The Olympics and the spirit of competition
Written by Ron Desi on March 5, 2010 – 1:13 pm -
The 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games just came to an end. Canada did a great job at hosting this year. I think I now want to hike the Canadian wilderness…but that’s a different blog post altogether.
As I watched the Olympics the spirit of competition was in full display. These athletes, though partially driven by internal motivation, were also driven by the athlete that was only a step behind or a goal ahead. Competition drives us. It improves us. It helps athletes, businesses, and individuals perform at a higher level.
Sure, competition taken to the extreme can have dangerous consequences (remember Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding?). But remember anything taken to the extreme can be harmful. Heck, drinking too much water can kill you (http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=strange-but-true-drinking-too-much-water-can-kill) .
The spirit of competition fosters innovation, growth, and I’d argue greatness. I personally have performed my best at work, in athletics, and in other areas of life when I know there is direct or perceived competition.
As you proceed in your career and your business, realize that competition is a great thing. It keeps you on your toes and forces you to strive for greatness.
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