Lately I’ve been feeling a bit down and stagnant in terms of what I want to accomplish in life. I’m a competitive person and usually use competition to fuel my growth etc because iron sharpens iron. I feel like it’s easier to push yourself and grow when your competing with others because you can measure your skills against other standards, have your weaknesses exposed, and pride is involved so there is more of a drive to push yourself.
I’m currently in a middle office(risk management) position and the competitive drive I’m used to is just not there at all. The company is fairly small so there is no real internal competition. We don’t have many competitors because of our location so external competition in the space is lacking. I just feel very bored as I find it harder to compete with myself if you will. When I say that I mean personal development through studying, reading tons of books, doing research on my own time etc. I still do these things but I often feel burnt out or bored because the drive just isnt there all the time.
I used to play sports in high school but I’ve moved on from that now. Same thing with video games, its fun to compete in that sense but I don’t like wasting my time in a virtual space all day. I know there are always ways to improve yourself and grow in life, but at the moment I just don’t feel the competitive drive to do these things like I WANT to do them. Things in my life are pretty stable right now and that is one of my biggest fears…that I’ll just get too comfortable and fall into complacency. I hope you guys understand what I’m trying to say.
My question is, how do you fuel your competitive spirit, even when there’s no direct competition around you? Should I find different circles to hang in and look to friends for a competitive push? Should I just learn to compete with myself instead and only focus on internal improvement instead of looking at external factors? What kinds of activities do you partake in…what is it that keeps you on your toes in life?
Surround yourself with the best and inspire each other to elevate beyond your perceived limits. If this is not possible, feed off the weak. Look at those who disgust you and use that energy to further disassocate yourself from their habits and their capacity. Always remember that there is someone better than you, someone training while you are watching tv, someone bettering themselves when you are relaxing, someone sacrificing the weekend drinks for success in the future. Someone succeeding while you are responding to a threa…
You will have to pick up a new challenge. It seems like that isn’t possible at work, so find something outside of work. You received good suggestions. I would add dance lessons to the mix.
You have to continue growing or else one of 2 things will happen (or worse, both): 1) You fall in a comfort zone 2) You get depressed and feel like an underachiever.
I was going to suggest video games, lol. I find whatever I do ends up becoming a competition, although I normally am competeting against no one in particular. I just want to be excellent at whatever it is. Currently I’m making sushi like a mad man, trying to get to “restaurant quality” in terms of the types of rolls I love to eat. People think i’m nuts that i’m making sushi almost every day, but how else do I get enough practice under my belt quickly?
How to satisfy your competitive spirit? Beat the markets and score chicks with minimal effort. Easier said than done, but certainly accomplishing one (or both) of those things will make you feel like the biggest dog in town.
+1. Its nice to have something outside of work too. I have become less focused on competing at work over time (sign of age or apathy to the industry), but have found my competitive side of my personal life remains/increases. I felt a similar void when CFA ended, and found athletic pursuits which force you to train and have both a physical and mental component were a good fit, also being nerdy the ones that focus on gadgets or measuring progress were naturally enticing. Also, you will be healthier, and therefore likely happier.
Fine suggestions in this thread, but only palantir has engaged full beast mode like a raging Vishwanathan Anand. I get my testosterone pumped up just thinking about the possible rook-and-pawn endspiels in a declined queen’s gambit opening variation. Respect
Nice. In case anyone didn’t catch my drift the first time around, I offer up the following yearbook quote made famous by a genius girl that knows her periodic table symbols and Biggie Smalls lyrics. THIS is how I satisfy my competitive spirit. Of course, the only dime I’m with right now is my girlfriend but if things ever go south, then let the games begin.
I second athletic pursuits. If you also want to add a creative part, I’d recommend the very much overlooked Aireal Arts (like Rope for guys). Extremely challenging and beautiful
