A friend of mine created a lifestyle brand devoted to sharing this competitive mindset through a retail clothing business and online platform. Their mission is simple: “They aspire to inspire. To share the positive mindset that every individual should compete. Every second. Every day. For beliefs, work, families, relationships, health, and ultimately life”.

This philosophy resonated with me so deeply, that I developed a wellness presentation based on this motivational tagline hoping to encourage audiences to compete for the healthy way of life they desire. Acknowledging that exercising regularly, eating nutritious foods, and staying fit is challenging. Preaching the basic premise that to be victorious with our own health and fitness, we have to accept daily responsibility for behaviors.  

It seems we are often reminded in todays’ society that “it’s not a competition”, related to all sorts of work / life situations. While this belief certainly holds value in many instances, the truth is that competition is a very real and present part of living.

Competing every day is not about performing better than someone else, although that can be a rewarding goal as well. There will always be people accomplishing more or less than us. It is about competing against yourself – to refuse to stand idle, to fight for what you want in life, to overcome complacency, to strive for improvement, to train for success.

 At my health club in Dallas, TX, we give all new employees the assignment to read a short book titled The Fred Factor by Mark Sanborn as part of their orientation to our company. One of the messages we hope staff members take away from this homework is that “there is another less observable competitor: the job we could have done. The truth is that we compete against our own potential every day. And most of us fall short of what we are capable of doing or being”. The author goes on to say that at the end of each day, we should defeat a silent opponent that threatens our potential. “The competitor is mediocrity, a willingness to do just enough and nothing more to get by”.

It’s ok to compete every day – to be your best at home, at work, and in life!