The much awaited FIFA world cup sprang a lot of surprises for all and disappointments for many. The much touted and favored teams like brazil, Germany, Portugal, France, Italy, Argentina, England etc all made an early exit. Why did this happen? Despite the fact that there was a long period of four years to prepare for this match, how did these giants fall? While the sports gurus and analysts dissect and evaluate this, there is something we can learn from this.
Competition in any form and in any field requires a few pointers to be noted. Firstly, it is essential to respect your opponent. Never underestimate them or take them for granted. Remember the story of David and Goliath where young David took up the challenge of the mighty giant Goliath and defeated him. When we respect our opponent, we will prepare ourselves not only by developing our strengths, but also by working on our weakness. We learn to understand our opponents’ strengths and weakness and thus strategize accordingly. Secondly, when competing, it is necessary to consider and believe you are your own strongest and last competitor. This will automatically raise the bars for your performance and help you better your own records. If you compete with others to better their records, you are limiting your wing span as you will not realize your potential. External competition will also spoil relationships between the competitors. Such competition can also be stressful. Thirdly, it is important to recognize your own strengths and understand the maximum limit you can reach. This is something no one can decide for you. Have faith in your abilities and confidence in your efforts to achieve your goals. Do not allow yourself to become a pushover, be it your parents, teachers, peers or society at large. This will have an adverse and lasting effect not only on your confidence and belief in yourself but will also lead to destroying your individuality.
Competition should be entered into in the right spirit where it is not important to win, but it is important not to lose. Though at first this phrase may seem similar it is not so. When a competition is entered into ‘to win’ then victory is of paramount importance and will have to be achieved at any cost be it by means fair or foul. On the other hand when one competes with the aim ‘not to lose’ we will draw up on all our reserves and hidden and unexplored strengths because losing as an option is not acceptable. Here winning on the strength of our capability is given importance which will make the competition fair and the victory sweet.
In this world of cut throat competition don’t blindly follow the mob, but set your own trail. What is important is to excel in what you do and that can happen when you love what you do. Passion about your dreams will help you nurture the same and will bring out the best in you. Your dreams are yours and yours alone, so protect them and stay focused on them. It has been rightly said aim for the sky and the stars will be yours….so aim high the world awaits you as you unfold the pages of your life to reach dizzying heights of fame and glory or get lost into oblivion in the shadows of mediocrity. You can become either another has been or a ‘been there and done that’ person, the choice is yours as after all it is your life.
Article contributed by Sudha Nair (sudhavogue@gmail.com) – Proprietor VOGUE ACADEMY FOR SPOKEN ENGLISH AND PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT
