What Is The Difference Between Healthy and Unhealthy Competition?

We all have our definition of success. We all have our own definition of what it means to succeed, to become a champion and a crowning jewel of society.

For some people, it means financial stability. For others, it means leading a comfortable life, surrounded by loved ones.

But sometimes, while trying to find our voice in this vast world, we tend to lose sight of what’s really important—becoming a better version of ourselves.

It’s easy to get lost in the competition when you’re surrounded by immense talent. But when it starts affecting your confidence in your own abilities, the problem gives birth to one question—is the competition negative or positive?

And what is the difference between the two?

Unhealthy Competition: Fear of Failure

When the competition is unhealthy, you’re always worried about what others think. It’s always about how well you’ll do. You want to earn the respect of others. You know the competition is unhealthy when you have thoughts like, “I have to do what I can to get my piece of the cake before others do!”

Healthy Competition is the One against Yourself

You know the competition is healthy when you compete against yourself. You strive to be better than you were yesterday. You’re keeping track of your progress, not to win the hearts of others. You keep track to improve and become a better athlete.

You’re not scared of losing. You’re motivated to do better whenever your competition wins the race.

Unhealthy Competition: Need for Validation

If the competition calls for constant validation, you know it’s unhealthy. This can lead to low self-esteem and self-doubt. Constantly wondering whether you’re good enough becomes the norm.

Competition further becomes unhealthier when you feel the “need” to get ahead of others by “bringing them down.”

Healthy Competition: Unlocking Your True Potential

You’re focused on becoming better than you were yesterday. It’s never about winning the race. It’s always about learning how to unlock your abilities, talents, and your true potential. You have goals you want to achieve.

You don’t compete with others but you use the opportunity to challenge yourself. You use the opportunity to push past your limits and become stronger, better, and wiser.

Akwasi Frimpong knows that the journey to the Beijing Olympics 2022 isn’t going to be easy. That’s why he focuses on improving his strategies and becoming a better athlete than he was yesterday! He lets his success make all the noise.

And if all things go as planned, he will have the honor of bringing home the Gold medal in the Beijing Olympics 2022 as the first Ghanaian slider in skeleton.

Check out his awesome journey here.