I’m Not in Competition with You

Thoughts on competition, creativity, and showing up without a scoreboard.

I don’t really “get” competition.

Growing up, I had no interest in most sports, not because I didn’t like playing, but because I couldn’t care less about beating another team. I can muster up the interest in winning, but I have absolutely no desire to beat another person. I don’t really understand what beating someone else is supposed to give me.

IFor this reason, I’ve always gravitated towards individually competitive or art focused activities. Beating my own personal record or mastering a new skill? That, I can get behind. There are fewer things more satisfying than evolving from doubting your ability, to working hard and learning, to finally doing the thing you weren’t sure that you could.

But beating other people? Yeah, I don’t get that one.

And if I’m being bold and honest, highly competitive people annoy me and make me feel unsafe.

Have you ever been in a conversation with someone and they mention something, let’s say a book, and you’re like, “Oh yeah, I’ve read that too!” And instead of it being a moment to connect, they suddenly want to engage in a competition about who’s better read? I HATE that game. We had a chance to share an experience, but instead of seeing it as a moment of connection, now you’re trying to prove you’re more well read than me? Why?