Self-Competition

We live in a competitive society. Every facet of our life

is, in some way, tied to competition. The moment of conception
is the result of a fierce struggle between sperm cells.
Competition begins early!
After birth, competition can take the form of sibling
rivalries, academic achievements, sporting activities, boy-girl
relationships, and job-seeking opportunities. We even carry our
obsession to a spectator role. We watch people in competition.
It’s probably safe to say that our entire life is spent in the
presence of some form of competition.
There’s another form of competition that I’d like to
address. It’s a form that most people never recognize. They
believe competition means going through life competing against
the other fellow. In reality, the only competition they should
practice is against themselves.
Self-competition is an activity that produces true
improvement. Beating the competition is not as important as
beating your own previous personal best at doing an activity. By
continually striving to improve the task, we will automatically
get better. This is competition at its best. Take a few minutes to
reflect on that thought. Think about a situation when you did
your best. Wasn’t the driving force wanting to improve on your
last performance? Let me illustrate the point by carrying the
concept one step further.
One of the most productive and skilled leaders history has
ever produced was once in trouble. As a young man, he had
great difficulty relating to people. Fortunately, he was perceptive
enough to know that he needed to change. How did he change?
He identified thirteen qualities that he had to acquire in order to
improve. He began a little self-competition.
His formula was relatively simple. He practiced one new
habit each week. With thirteen characteristics, he was able to
practice one per week and repeat the exercise four times a year.
In time, by evaluating his effectiveness and improving his
processes, he was able to transform himself into a world leader.
His self-competition made the difference. Perhaps you’ve heard
of him. His name—Benjamin Franklin!
When Franklin embarked on his new journey, he was on
the brink of failure. Once he mastered the thirteen qualities, he
moved to successes few have duplicated.
Had he not changed and begun this form of selfcompetition,
history would have totally ignored him. What a
shame that would have been.
What new skills must you acquire to continue your path
toward personal growth? Why not write your own improvement
list and practice like Franklin. Continue the cycle until the new
skills become part of your personality.
It takes no more effort to aim high, to demand abundance
and prosperity, than to acquire misery and poverty. It takes no
more work on your part to master successful techniques than it
will to acquire habits that can only lead to failure. On the next
page, I’ve provided a list of the thirteen habits Franklin used to
improve his success ratio. After you’ve read through the list,
adopt those you like, add your favorite, and begin using your list
of thirteen habits.
Happy changing!
Ben Franklin’s Thirteen Week Plan
1. TEMPERANCE: Franklin set the goal to drink and eat in
moderation.
2. SILENCE: He recognized the greatness of being silent. His
vow was to avoid gossip and trifling conversation.
3. ORDER: The focus was on organization of his daily
schedule of activities and on having a place for everything.
4. RESOLUTION: Franklin put into practice the avoidance of
procrastination—the thief of time!
5. FRUGALITY: A penny saved is a penny earned. He
recognized that control of his finances was critical.
6. INDUSTRY: Becoming effective with his time was the
major goal. Don’t do unnecessary activities. Concentrate on
the most important task of the day. Don’t waste time.
7. SINCERITY: Be honest and just. Speak from the heart.
8. JUSTICE: Do no harm to others. Treat people fairly.
9. MODERATION: Franklin avoided extremes.
10. CLEANLINESS: Keep your body, clothes and habits
clean.
11. TRANQUILLITY: Avoid acting in a stressful manner.
Don’t let the trifles of life get to you.
12. CHASTITY: I believe no further explanation is needed
here.
13. HUMILITY: He advocated imitating the life of Jesus and
Socrates, probably the two greatest teachers of all time.