Competition is an unavoidable aspect of life. During competitions, there are winners and losers. It is bound to make some nervous, but it shouldn’t be something that makes people quake in fear either. Almost anything can be made into a competition. Whether it’s sports, dancing, getting a job, or top grades, it is natural for people to compete, especially in skills they are confident with.
Some argue that competition encourages a child to excel in today’s fiercely competitive world where we compete for everything; in academics performance, CCAs and even friendships. Others say it can destroy self-esteem and lead to disappointment and resentment.
However, a healthy level of competition is always welcome, if not, necessary. Healthy competition involves teamwork and positive participation of all team members. Competitions that are non-academic in nature can provide opportunities for students who have other talents, gifts and creativity to shine, helping them to gain confidence. Healthy competition in schools can also give students opportunities to compete without suffering severe repercussions that they might face in the adult world. This will make them better prepared for the competition of the real world and help them learn from failures.
However, in highly competitive environments such as schools, competition can become unhealthy.
Having a greater awareness of the unhealthy competition in your external environment can help you manage better when you feel that you are not performing up to standards.
Here are some statements to determine if you are in an environment where there is unhealthy competition. Put a tick in the boxes that most reflect your experience.
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Statements |
Yes, all the time! |
Yes, most of the time |
Yes, sometimes |
No, what are you talking about? |
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1 |
You feel like a failure if you are not in first place; you will be looked down upon for not being first. |
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2 |
You are devastated by failure. |
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3 |
You are overwhelmed by fear and nervousness during a competitive event. There is no sense of achievement or joy in the competition. |
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4 |
You do extracurriculars activities even if you don’t enjoy them because you feel judged depending on what activities you do or do not do. |
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5 |
There is more focus on the end result, not on the progress. |
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6 |
When put in a team, people focus on proving themselves than displaying teamwork in order to achieve a common goal. |
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7 |
People will scheme and tear others down in order to win. |
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8 |
There are people who put more emphasis on what someone didn’t do well than on what they did well. There are mainly criticisms and minimal encouraging words. |
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9 |
People don’t show appreciation for other’s accomplishments. |
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10 |
People focus more on how others are performing than on their own performance. |
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If you have answered ‘Yes, all the time!’ and ‘Yes, most of the time’, it shows that you are often in an unhealthy environment that limits your growth. The impact of being in unhealthy competition with others in the long-term can be harmful to your self-esteem.
Many of us tend to blame only ourselves for not being able to perform well in school or progress fast enough. We may tell ourselves that we are “weak” for being overwhelmed by the competitive environment since competition is normal. While our mental strength and mindset affects our growth, so does the external environment. For example, no matter how strong a flower is, if it is repeatedly trampled, cut, neglected, and surrounded by a rocky environment, it’s going to have a hard time growing. It is best to be in an environment where there is healthy competition, allowing the plant to grow and thrive.
If you find that your school has an unhealthy competition culture, unfortunately, there might not be much you can do to change it. However, you can relieve some of the pressure you have probably put on yourself.
Recall and reflect on the video that discusses fixed and growth mindset. How can you change to have a growth mindset?
Realize that it’s ok not to be number one all the time. You are a human; it is okay to make mistakes and then try again. You are not defined by what grades you get or what extracurricular activities you are involved in. If you want to actually grow, try not to focus on what other people are doing. Focus on improving yourself through activities that you enjoy. You can succeed without tearing others down. Be around peers who challenge, encourage and work with you to improve.
- Do you relate more to what Tim or Alice is saying? Support your answer.
- Why do you think Tim wants to “avoid losing”? How can Tim change his mindset?
- What can you learn from Alice? Do you agree that it is “important to win and be the
best”?
Sources:
- https://mindsagewriting.medium.com/competition-culture-in-schools-68478f147601
- https://www.ineos.com/inch-magazine/articles/issue-5/debate/
3. https://www.schooliseasy.com/tutor/tutor-blog/is-competition-healthy-in-schools-the-pros-and-cons/
