Competitive Streak

Competitive Streak

Do you consider yourself a competitive person? Do you see it as a good thing or a bad thing?

I was not brought up in a competitive environment.  It’s only later on in my life that I found that urge to be the best everything that I like to do or was trying to do.  I know now when this happened, when I became a mother for the first time, holding that little bundle of joy in my arms, my world suddenly become more open, more of a challenge, as I looked into her beautiful blue eyes, yes my sweet beautiful daughter, its you that has changed my world, I love you ....... always.

I found it very essential to improve myself, so that I could be an all-rounder in the field that I had chosen, or more correctly in the field that I wanted to be in.

I started as a girl Friday, they also have to be an all-rounder in what they do, but it was mainly clerical work, manning the desk, answering telephones, typing out letters, a bit of accounts work, not much.

Then I branched out and became a creditors clerk, from there I moved on to becoming assistance to the booker, the amount of accounts work increased then, from there I moved on to become a debtors clerk, you could say that I got all my working experience bit by bit.

I went to work for my parents, my mother used to do most things; slowly I took over and gained more experience. It included a lot more responsibility, filing the income tax, salaries, doing the VAT returns, work I really enjoyed.

Then things changed, life happened and this is how I got my present job, finally a bookkeeper, still that was not good enough, and I worked hard in taking over other responsibilities, and now I have only one person to answer to, and that is the director of the company.  There is nothing that I can’t do, never say you can’t do something new, without trying first, and anything is possible!!

What is the meaning of having a competitive streak; it’s having a strong desire to compete or succeed, to be good or better than others. For me it’s also a desire to “be the best you can be”.
When does competitiveness become a negative attribute in a person?  When a person becomes obsessed and that is all one thinks of, when everything else takes a back seat.

One thing that I have said to my daughters, if you going to do something in life, set your goals high, reach for the stars, be the very best that you can be, always try and never give up!!  Believe in yourself ……….. I believe in you……..

Be passionate in everything you undertake, that inner drive and inner competitiveness is what will make you succeed in your own life.  There will also be someone better than yourself, this does not matter, what matters you know in your heart you did the best, the very best of your capabilities.  You took the risk of value and you have achieved success!!!

Motivation
Motivation is essential ingredient in having a competitive streak.  For me my motivation was to be able to do everything that I have lent my hand to.  Not be restricted in my work, and saying sorry I have no idea how to do this, if I don’t know, there is always the internet to lean on.  Because of my capacity to be an all-rounder, it has saved my job on many occasions, for I can do the work of several people, so when a company is downsizing they would retrench those that are limited in their job skills.

There are two main types of motivation;

Extrinsic or external motivation generally comes from the outside, as winning win medals, receiving financial rewards, and attracting attention form the media.  It’s external as it requires participation in some outside activity.

A little bit of externalised motivation is a good thing because it inspires people to aim higher and set goals that they never thought possible. It also provides an important feedback loop on how we go about achieving our goals and teach us how to accept failure or ‘not winning’ in a gracious and positive manner without damaging long term self-esteem (this is particularly important for kids). What is also important however that external competition is not forced on others and promoted as a ‘win at all costs’ – then it becomes negative? 

Intrinsic motivation or internal motivation is closely allied to the fundamental motivation to learn and acquire new skills. The building blocks, or psychological needs, that underlie intrinsic motivation are the need to determine one’s behaviour (what psychologists’ term self-determination), the need to feel competent, and the need for relatedness, or to have meaningful relationships with other people..

And this is where a good dose of internalised motivation is important. It teaches people to focus more on their own personal achievement and gains than beating others, particularly when it comes to setting goals, motivation, drive and achievement in life.


There is a time and a place of extrinsic and intrinsic motivation. Everybody has a little bit of both in them, usually one in more dose than the other. As long as you don’t let the pendulum swing to far one way, then it can only help you be the best you can be.

Reaching For The Stars 

I am looking past the moon.

I am reaching for the stars.

The journey is worth the effort,

The distance is not that far.

I go as far as my body takes me,

My imagination lifts me the rest of the way.

The stars are constant, faithful friends,

Guiding and showing the way.

I've heard it said,

"Stars are the forgot-me-nots of angels",

I know that's where I want to be.

High above the sadness and despair

Upward and onward is my destiny.

Yes, I am reaching for the stars

I even know I will arrive.

For surely with my eyes fixed on the stars

I can definitely reach the sky.

I believe in people

I believe there is a light

a hope, a spark, inside all of us.

It is our obligation to each

to let our light shine.

I believe when every person allows

the light to shine, all our "lights"

will join together and will shine

as bright as the sun. 

Jodi Davis