Let me explain my point of view. I am the competitor. I always have been. It has never been about winning. People see me competing and think that I’m a jerk.  Okay, I agree that I do get somewhat vocal. I’ve been told more than once that I am creating my own stress and that I’m going to die of a heart attack. I’ve been asked why everything is a competition.

First, I’m not a jerk. I am very empathetic even if I don’t seem to be. I often reflect upon situations and see the full picture minutes, hours, or even days afterwards. I beat myself up over what could have been and I relive painful experiences years later while wondering what I could have done differently. 

Secondly, I’m not going to die of a heart attack because of stress. If anything it will be because I smoked cigarettes and used chewing tobacco for 30 years although I am currently going through a period where I quit….again. Don’t ever start. Tobacco sucks and I hate what I have done to myself by using it.

Lastly, don’t be conceited, I’m not competing with everyone and I’m especially not competing with you. I am competing with myself. I have a drive to master everything that I do and to be the best at what I do in every situation. Not the best in the group, only the best at being me. It is mastery I seek, not being better than you.