What Role Does Competition Play in Your Life?

If you’ve been following me on social media, you may know that I recently spent some time in Istanbul. While I was there, I stumbled upon a video of Gary Vaynerchuk being interviewed on YouTube. He was asked, “If you had your final podcast on Earth, and you had 8 billion people listening, what are the three truths that you would tell them?”

His first truth was simple but profound: You will always find what you’re looking for. If you focus on negativity, frustration, and anger, that’s what you’ll see. If you focus on love, positivity, and peace, you’ll find that instead. So often, we hear people say the world has never been worse, but that’s only because they’re focused on the negative. If you look for the good, you’ll find it.

His second truth? Love is worth fighting for. That’s something I think we could all benefit from hearing more of in this world.

And the third one really struck me. Gary said, Until you realize that competition is a good thing, you will struggle. He explained that competition isn’t something to fear—it’s a force for growth. Society’s tendency to demonize competitive drive has, in his view, hindered us. Competition pushes us to grow, innovate, and improve. I found myself agreeing, but also reflecting on my own relationship with competition. (Watch a clip from the interview here.)

I’ve never been a particularly competitive person. In fact, I’ve often found myself somewhat amused by those who thrive on competition. But hearing Gary’s words made me think about how my own lack of drive for competition has influenced my life, my business, and even my parenting.

While I’ve carved out my own niche in areas where competition was minimal (like becoming a “blue ocean” speaker with little direct competition), I’ve also noticed how my lack of competitive spirit has affected my own push for growth. I’ve never been one to pressure my kids into competitive sports, and I’ve always let them choose their path freely. But now, looking back, I wonder if I’ve inadvertently hindered their competitive drive as well.

It’s a curious thing to think about. There are those who thrive on competition—whether it’s personal, professional, or societal. And then there are those like me, who’ve chosen to play their own game without worrying about beating anyone else. I’d love to know, are you someone who’s naturally competitive? Or have you learned to embrace competition over time?

This reflection on competition has inspired me to dive even deeper into the topic. I’m excited to share that I’m in the early stages of researching and writing a book about competition and its role in personal and professional growth. In this book, I’ll explore how competition can help us overcome obstacles, spark innovation, and become a powerful tool for achieving success. To make this project even more impactful, I’d love to have your input along the way.

If you’re interested in contributing to my research, I’ve created a short survey to gather insights about how competition plays a role in your life. Your perspective would be incredibly valuable, and I’d love to hear from you. (Click here to take the survey.)

Finally, as always, I’m working toward a personal goal—growing the Team Transformation Experience. If you’re interested in joining this immersive experience with your team, I’d love to have you on board. It’s all about creating memorable, transformative moments with your team while learning how to push boundaries and elevate your collective success.

Thanks for reading and for being a part of my journey. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on competition and look forward to connecting with you soon.