Conversation – 18

Competing with Yourself

When we are satisfied with our life, we do not look for experiences of winning and losing to define our self-worth.

The urges that drive us to compete with others tend to be straightforward. Years of both evolution and societal influences have shaped us to pit ourselves against our peers. The needs and desires that inspire us to compete with ourselves, however, are entirely personal and thus far more complex. A need to outdo our earlier efforts—to confirm that we have grown as individuals—can motivate us to reach new heights of accomplishment. We are capable of using our past achievements as a foundation from which we venture confidently into the unknown. Yet if this drive to compete with our former selves is the result of low self-worth or a need to prove ourselves to others, even glowing successes can feel disheartening. Examining why we compete with ourselves enables us to positively identify those contests that will enrich our existence.

There are many reasons we strive to outdo ourselves. When we are ambitious in our quest for growth, we are driven to set and meet our own expectations. We do not look to external experiences of winning and losing to define our sense of self-worth. Rather, we are our own judges and coaches, monitoring our progress and gauging how successful we have become. Though we seek the thrill of accomplishment tirelessly, we do so out of a legitimate need to improve the world or to pave the way for those who will follow in our footsteps. Be careful, though, that your competitiveness is not the result of an unconscious need to show others that you are capable of meeting and then exceeding their standards.

Consider, too, that successful efforts that would be deemed more than good enough when evaluated from an external perspective may not satisfy our inner judge, who can drive us ruthlessly. In order to attain balance, we have to learn the art of patience even as we strive to achieve our highest vision of who we are. When we feel drained, tense, or unhappy as we pursue our goals, it may be that we are pushing ourselves for the wrong reasons. Our enthusiasm for our endeavors will return as soon as we recall that authentic evolution is a matter not of winning but of taking pride in our progress at any pace. AMEN! ✨✨

@kittengirl,

@shoelady60,

Good afternoon in the ‘burgh. Wishing you and hubby a nice day.
Oz is sunny today but we have a cold snap coming in a couple of days.
I have no problem with that. Wait until those dog days of summer comes. 😎

Enjoy your mother and sister. Best of luck to your nieces I hope they win it all. 😘✨

If you like Heidi Daus I have posted new items on the Heidi Daus Thread. ✨💕

Blowing a gentle hug to you and Jake’s Canvas. 😘😎

@taci,

Good morning in S. California. Hey it will not hurt to look but I have done double duty
today and posted new items here on HSN for Heidi Daus.

I am looking forward to her presentation tomorrow. ✨🌹

So the Heidi Daus Thread is updated and as new items are added by HSN I will post
them. I am missing Fairemaiden. 😎💕

Happy Trails To You. 🎶🎶

@oodiebom,

Good afternoon on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Oodie I did read your post from earlier
today and all I can say is OMG! I can’t believe you had to do 20 pages that you could
have done sooner. I can’t wrap my head around that.

Alright as long as things are moving in order to help your husband recover and get out
of that place. Oodie do what you have to do. I see you have so much going on the house,
the hospital when do you have time to shop?

I would crawl into bed whenever I felt the need. I don’t like the footprints or the critters
in your home. I am glad you were not home. Holy Smokes. Oodie you need a break.

Oodie when this is over and your home is complete with repairs from the storm and your
husband is on his own two feet you will have a moment and go what the HAY! ✨😎

@xango,

Good afternoon in Florida and I hope you got a little more rain. 😎💕OZ is fine today
we have the sun but will be on the cool side in a few days. I am fine with that.

Here is to a good Tuesday for you and hubby I hope you are baking. ✨😘🌹

Enjoy you day you and hubby. 💕

@loaf,

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