Competing with Ourselves

"I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to dance better than myself." Mikhail Baryshnikov

Have you ever noticed that when you compare how you're doing with how others are doing - it can feel very self defeating ?

I think it's important to do the best we can do as individuals - and then as we progess and desire to improve - we raise the bar for ourselves. The only competitor you have is yourself. The only one you need to beat is you.

Cheating on a test in order to get a better grade may get a better grade but what is the point if the lesson has not been learned? Failing, and then learning from that failure is what is called knowledge and progress. One of the biggest ways we learn and grow is from our failures. One person may be much slower or faster than another, however, in the end, isn't the lesson learned the ultimate prize?

If someone plays the guitar much better than you, admire them for their accomplishments, and learn from them if open and willing, but to quit your lessons because someone is better only makes it a loss of opportunity for you.

What are your thoughts?