While some games or sports require us to keep score to determine the winner, life doesn’t need us to; only keep score with yourself.
Trying to beat others to come out on top isn’t the way to go. You can still rise to the top just by giving and doing your best. If you don’t get as far as you want, it is usually a sign that additional skill sets may be required.
When you try to outdo other people, and you puff up your chest and say ‘look at me,’ all it does is make others feel sad, or worse, resent you. There is a right way and a wrong way to climb the ladder of success. Sure, both may get you to the top, but they also determine the kind of person you are.
Challenge and push yourself so that you continue to grow. You can keep score by knocking out your goals one by one. A checkmark and a fist pump to yourself are all you should need. Then, when you get comfortable with what you are doing, raise the bar a little higher and stretch yourself.
Which sounds better?
a) I beat out all the others
b) I studied, gave it my all and achieved my goal
We may have competition for a job or to get to the top of some recorded list (i.e. best seller), but we don’t have to call out others who don’t make it. The first response above indicates the others were losers. Perhaps they had a bad day or a personal issue that hampered their ability to perform, or maybe they just need to do a little more studying. It doesn’t mean they aren’t capable. No one should ever feel bad for having tried to do something.
Only you can set the standard you are aiming for in life. If the game ends at 100, then change the rules and end it at 125 or 150. What it means is you don’t stop once you reach your goal. You set another one. Many big goals are broken down into smaller, more achievable pieces. If you achieve them quickly, increase the score and make it a little harder. What are you not doing? What could you be doing differently? How are you serving others?
When we work from a place of service, we excel. We are meant to shine and help others. When we are in a career that allows us to do that, we are living more authentically. It doesn’t matter what job you have; it can always come from a place of serving.
Managers
A manager serves their employees and needs to do what is best for them. When they are happy, nurtured and looked after, they succeed. It is only when your employees succeed that you truly succeed as a manager. Your job is to make them grow and flourish.
You need to be personal with your employees and get to know them; they spend most of their day working for you. That, in and of itself, should be enough to want to make you go out of your way to make their life easy. Make sure to acknowledge jobs well done and to help mentor and train those who are struggling so they can succeed.
Employees
An employee is always in service to the company, but they are also in service to many of their coworkers. What are you doing to make your coworkers’ job or day easier? Do you come with a negative attitude, or do you bring cheer? If they get behind, do you help them when you can or just watch them struggle?
There is more satisfaction knowing that you have given your very best at the end of the day. Nobody can ask more of you than that. When you have been able to lift the spirits of those around you and complete all your tasks with efficiency then you have won the day at work.
When you are happy, those around you are happy. Your mood is infectious. It goes then that if you are irritable and moody, you bring down the spirit of those in your vicinity. If you are like that every day, you will find that people will stay away from you. The wonderful thing about it is that you get to choose your mood.
Relationships
This concept is not just true when it comes to career and hobbies it also holds true for relationships. Don’t try to outdo one another. Approach your relationship from a place of giving. Don’t look for something to be done for you but to do something for the other person because you love or care about them. It doesn’t matter if it is a spouse, a friend, a coworker or child. When you come from a place of giving, you will have a stronger relationship.
Life is not about competing with anyone but yourself. Do your very best, be kind, compassionate and loving and only keep score with yourself.
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