There is a school of thought that believes that competition is primitive, and that an enlightened society should strive to eliminate it in every form.
However, competition is one of the most intense natural instincts imbedded into the genetic program for animal survival, and that fact is inescapable.
As animals, we instinctively compete for food, for territory, and for mates most likely to produce healthy offspring. It is the underlying principle of natural selection that subconsciously motivates us into action.
One needs only to visit the local supermarket before a snowstorm to realize just how intense the natural urges control behavior well beyond the boundaries of rational thought as the shelves are stripped in a frenzy of unbridled hoarding.
Competition in business drives us forward, and allows the fountainhead of thought to continually move us forward in technology and marketing. And while we may cooperate when necessary, it is competition that inspires us to excel.
There is no shame in being the best in your field of endeavor. One need not make excuses for superiority.
After all, it’s our nature to compete!
Photo: Men's 4X100 Relay 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
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Fab blog!! I agree!!
I have to agree when it comes to competition. There is nothing wrong in it. It was what drives us to success.
Every successful person is competitive. I see this in our office every day.
Competition is natural and good it helps keep people honest. Competition only sucks when it is getting the best of you. Very nice and professional looking post.
Richard...competition drives us to success but success does not always make us the most popular in group.....
Competition is good. Celebrating success is good. Some would rather approach it as "lets have fun!" Well, for me, winning is fun! On with the games!
I love this and have to say that those who believe, "competition is primitive" are going to be left behind! Have a great weekend!
Richard, competition is what motivates people to excel. Without it we would probably live is a pretty blah world. Thanks.
Noah...
Thanks for the comment.
Harry...
And it is our nature to do so. Thanks so much.
Kay...
That's why we all have awards! I really appreciate the comment.
Richard:
So true. This is a basic instinct. I'll bet primitive man whirled many clubs and rocks competing for food - and mates.
Now that is a very good point Richard, the instinct to compete is what drives us forward and research technology etc. Very good point and you are right the competing instinct is a good thing.
Jay...
Thank you very much for those professional and verk kind words.
Barbara...
And don't I know that!!! Lol and thanks.
Gary...
It's fun because it is our nature. Thanks so much for the comment.
Nothing wrong with a little healthy competition among friends. I am proud to admit I am competitive and I like to win!
Hi Richard, competition is healthy. Keeps us on our toes. The only difference is we don't use clubs, we use technology to stay ahead until everyone ends up knowing about it sooner or later. Then it's time to seek out something new and different. Have an awesome day!
Very interesting timing as I had a conversation with my brother yesterday about competitive ventures (aren't they all) and how differently people view the results, ie. winners vs. losers, success vs. failure, goals achieved vs. goals missed, etc.
Prompts a post from me!
Thanks!
Richard...it is competition that makes and keeps us strong. Trying to make everyone equal is detrimental not to mention impossible.
Hi Richard, I have a 14 year old daughter that is extremely competitive in everything she does. She loves to be completely immersed in extracurricular activities; dancing, cheerleading, powerlifting, track. And, she excels in most things she has tried. She loves the thrill of the game! Great post!
How we compete determines how we are preceived by our competitors.
Richard: I think one of the reasons my real estate career has been successful is my competitive nature. I want to know how I stack up against my office mates at the end of every month, thereby, I strive to get ahead of them.
How very true. I witnessed two shoppers literally fighting over the last available air conditioner in Home Depot on a triple digit day. NOT pretty!!
I admit to being a competitive animal. I primarily compete with myself. However when participating in any activity or sport, my motto is, my score doesn't count, as long as I WIN.
Hi Richard -- Some people have a more competitive spirit than others, but I do believe it's in our nature, as no matter how many advanced constructs we wrap around our existence, at the most basic level, it's all about survival -- imho. I started playing hockey when I was 8 and boy...did I sure hate to lose, I wasn't a poor sport, and I played fair, but I was out to win, plain and simple. In my real estate transaction, that concept is modified to create a win-win, as annihilation when it comes to negotation is counter-productive.
Richard - I was just talking about this yesterday! Competition is healthy and we should be able to compete and enjoy the win - as well as learn to lose graciously. Great blog.
Richard...
You are a worthy competitor here at our office. Good post.
Great post. I couldn't agree more. Competition is healthy. I love looking at what other's are doing and getting ideas where I can improve.
No way. Competition is BAD! Just ask the parks and rec youth sports dept. No keeping score and everyone gets a trophy!! You're destroying my self-esteem, Richard. I'm gonna tell my mommy on you!
Competition is healthy for all, it pushes us to levels we would not have attained. And in this business that means we are helping more people.
Thak you
I so agree-its what keeps the human race motivated. I like your analogy to a snowstorm only here, its the threat of a hurricane that sends us all scurrying to Publix!
Richard there is no doubt that Darwinism is alive and well in our business.
Richard,
You couldn't have said it any more eloquently. Society has tried for many years to eliminate competition at the grade school level...but they will never be successful.
Rich
Competition brings out the best in us!
Competition is good. Right now my left hand is competing with my right hand to see which one can type better.
Evening Richard, No disagreement here. Perfect post coming on the heels of the Olympics !
Good competition is healthy. In fact it helps us to advance forward. If there was no competition, we would not have visionaire to come up with things that is wild beyond our imagination. Great points.
Another great post. I love your post format btw. Always so clean and to the point.
I love competition, and don't apologize for any success I might achieve.
I do my job to make money to support myself and my family. No apologies. Great post. Thanks for sharing.
Love the thought of competition. It inspires me to be better.
Cal
Good post, nothing wrong with healthy competition. It is what make the stronger stonger. It is the natural thing to do.
Competition is a part of life. It can't be avoided so make sure you're the one at the top of your game.
I cannot agree with you more. But I must say, my best competitor is myself. I dont compete with others. I don't try to compare everything about myself with some things I don't know about others.
Nice post - I am very competitive - competition keeps me on my toes!
Send you blog to Washington, DC the 557 elected officials seem to have no intention of listening
to us!
They are not serving our very instincts.
Sonny
I'm competitive but ethical - I won't fight dirty. But I think Realtors ARE fighters!!!
Although I agree with competition being a self fueling paradigm to get ahead. . .a deeper look show some of the flaws.
Focusing in inner self competition measures your progress in achieving self-full potential
Focusing in outside competition measures your limitations relinquish to simple momentary pleasure
I can tell you with all sincerity Richard that pleasure for me is as good as sex sometimes. . but I know that it also limits my achieving to simple the strength of my opponent.
As I grow older. . .I see the way I approach to competition is the key for a fuller life.
Thanks for scrambling my brain cells this morning. . it's Saturday you know!
I compete with that guy I see in the mirror every morning. He is one stubborn *** LOL.
I agree except when the ego says it has to be my way or no way at all.
The key to enlightenment is competing your butt off, and, being happy for those that are more successful than you. If you take covetousness out of the equation it opens you up to being able to learn from their successes or mistakes.
I would honestly probably quite my job if I didnt have to compete with anyone. Great post, thanks
Competition moves you forward. Thanks for the great post.
Hope things are booming down on your side of town!
Competition is a needed ingredient in all forms of life. That's one of the reasons I have not agreed with the theory that all kids should be treated equally for doing a good job in sports, school work, etc, etc. Seems to me that helps create/achieve mediocrity. Competition is stimulating and creates a reason to achieve and do better at what you are doing.
Sue of Robin and Sue
Richard,
Good point! And thanks! I will make none!!!
Loving this post Richard! Some of the best agents have a competitive nature. Do you get fired up to "win" a listing when you are told you are competing with 3 other agents? YES! That's not a bad thing.
I have always said, "A little competition is good for you." As long as we don't get consumed with other emotions ~ it's healthy! Good post...
That "team player" mantra is a bunch of BS. It works for sheep not shepherds. I always say I will be a team player as long as I am the 'CAPTAIN!'
My good friend of sixteen years, now deceased, said, "Winning is what people remember - second place sucks."
I sell for the win - the prize is winning, the money is a bonus.
Lead, follow or get out of the way, remember this?
I think that winning involves strategic planning while incorporating all your training, courage, tenacity and maybe some luck. Interestingly, the harder I work the luckier I get.
Sue, your opposition to the statement that "all kids should be treated equally for doing a good job in sports, school work, etc." I agree with you. Actually, I think schools want to adopt a policy to NOT award achievement. They want kids to think whether you excel or not, it doesn't matter. Mediocrity will become acceptable. Yikes!
If people are not competitive they are apathetic, lazy, weak, complacent and losers.
I wouldn't want those words to describe ME or anyone I cared about.
So, if we raise a generation of non-competitive kids, when they become adults who will lead our country?
A foreign entity that raised winners? India is VERY competitive - they strive for excellence in education. Do you think Russia, Iran, Korea or China would respect America if our image was that we didn't care about winning?
Leaders tend to be first born children. They are natural born leaders. If you know anything about birth order you will understand their characteristics. Children are considered 'first born' if they are:
- the only child
- first born of either gender
- opposite gender of the previous sibling
- or if there is a five year gap between siblings
I am an ESTJ (Meyers-Briggs) just like Bill Gates. Nice company, I think!
Fun Facts
Famous first born children: Walter Conkrite, Dan Rather, Oprah Winfrey, Rush Limbaugh and Arsenio Hall
More than 1/2 of the U.S. Presidents were first born children
2/3 of entrepreneurs are first born children
First born child.
I think competition also helps people move forward, once you reach your goals, you come up with new ones!
Competition is good - desire for destruction is BAD. I think that those who cross the line from healthy competition to attempting to vanquish all who stand in their way is a fine one. Otherwise - great post.
What's fun is when your competition underestimates you.
WOW Linda, that is a heavy comment!
VB ;o)
Richard - It is what drives us, what motivates us, and the only bummer about it is not everyone has the same amount of morality. If we have equal doses of morality, then that would make a playing field level. It's when competitiveness is combined with a low moral quotient does the cocktail to win become very bitter.
Mixed feelings about it. There's a lot of data to support that competition is learned. Some societies are much more cooperative than competitive and have realized that being the best you can be isn't about stepping on the other guy's face, it's about just pure excellence -- not competition per se. What about wolves hunting in packs?
Whatever you do, just be the best you can be.
competition, yes. animal behavior, no. we are human beings with rules of civilization to follow and we should not tolerate good old boy networking or mob behavior found in the shopping center before and after a storm to claim business superiority.
Every morning in Africa the sun comes up. The lion knows that he must be faster than the slowest Gazelle or he will go hungry.
Each morning the Gazelle wakes up knowing he must be faster than the slowest in his herd in order to survive another day in the desert.
In the desert - you don't have to be a Lion - you just can't be the slowest Gazelle.
So tomorrow, let's all wake up hungry and fast.
Which are you, predator or prey?
Competitive people thrive in real estate. People that dislike competition are fantastic ex-agents.
Richard - competition keeps us going forward with more focus!