Ask HN: Why are you a competitive person? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Why are you a competitive person?

#11

Post by runjake » Mon, Jul 26, 2021, 5:54 PM UTC

Why do you want to change that?

You sound fine the way you are, and you can still be successful.

I find tremendous peace at being almost completely noncompetitive (except when it comes to combat sports, but even then it's pretty friendly.)

Perhaps work on being more strategic when cooperating with others and learn to watch out for your self-interests better. At the same time, helping other good people will pay dividends, down the road.

Re: Ask HN: Why are you a competitive person?

#12

Post by martinmakesgame » Mon, Jul 26, 2021, 10:57 PM UTC

runjake wrote: post #11

Why do you want to change that? You sound fine the way you are, and you can still be successful. I find tremendous peace at being almost completely noncompetitive (except when it comes to combat sports, but even then it's pretty friendly.) Perhaps work on being more strategic when cooperating with others and learn to watch out for your self-interests better. At the same time, helping other good people will pay divide…

Also the world is not a zero sum game. I win when we both win. In a competitive environment it isn't necessary for someone to win and someone to lose. If someone else wins and I "lose" then I get enjoyment from the other person's win.

> Do you feel jealous when you see other people getting successful

Comparison to others doesn't help how we feel. The only person we can compare ourselves to is ourself. If I ask myself, "Am I better today than yesterday?", if the answer is yes then I say great and let the thought go. If the answer is no, then I have an opportunity tomorrow to do what I can and do better.

Re: Ask HN: Why are you a competitive person?

#13

Post by mattm » Tue, Jul 27, 2021, 4:26 AM UTC

Being good at something is more fun

Re: Ask HN: Why are you a competitive person?

#14

Post by strikelaserclaw » Tue, Jul 27, 2021, 3:41 PM UTC

Healthy competition will elevate you to levels you can't go otherwise. Healthy competition isn't about wishing others would fall down, or beating yourself up, it's about pushing yourself so that you can achieve your personal best. There is immense satisfaction in pushing yourself to be the best you can.

Re: Ask HN: Why are you a competitive person?

#15

Post by marto1 » Wed, Jul 28, 2021, 8:37 PM UTC

it's not really a conscious thing for me. But I can definitely feel it when it happens. Hope I'm not the only one.

Re: Ask HN: Why are you a competitive person?

#16

Post by smarri » Thu, Jul 29, 2021, 4:34 AM UTC

I find I'm competitive with myself rather than trying to do better than others, consistently trying to be better than I was. I think it's partly as I have stretching goals I want to achieve in life, partly because I didn't have much growing up, and deep down I recognise it's probably seeking validation.