Competition is interesting. Not so much between companies and organizations but between people and egos. In this world, many people spend too much of their time focused on how to get the upper hand. They hold deep grudges and spend their time figuring out how they can "better" their position. I have observed many such battles but have tried not to engage in them. They are futile. I'd rather focus on planting and enjoying the end result than fighting and tension.
I think a lot of it stems from ego and the stress of wanting to keep up with others. I was brought up in the world where I was encouraged to be my best. I remember when I'd come home with a grade my dad didn't approve of and tried to explain to him that it was a bell curve and I did ok compared to others. He would tell me that he didn't care about the others. I had to be the best with the highest grades.
The irony is that it didn't matter. But it did to him. He built everything from scratch and didn't get a chance to go to college after the army. He got a law degree when we were kids. My mom got her BA and MA when we were kids. They didn't have the opportunities that I had. So they instilled the importance of education in me with a need to be at the top. I understand where it came from. But I just don't believe in it today.
To me, the best at work today is doing my day and job and having a life. Work is a means to have my lifestyle. I know that every single person on this earth faces daily challenges. They may be different challenges but everyone faces their own reality--rich and poor.
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