Competition is part of working life - this is how you benefit from it

Created: 07/06/2022Updated: 07/06/2022 12:27 p.m

By: Carina Blumenroth

We encounter competitive behavior again and again in life, whether at school, university or at work.

How to deal with it and benefit from it?

Competition can be invigorating, but it can also have the exact opposite effect – nobody can completely absolve themselves of it.

When it comes to competition, the

distinguishes between sporting and economic competition, which have in common that a goal should be achieved that not everyone can achieve at the same time.

Competition as competition vs. competition as rivalry

The competition as a competition can be in the sense of a sporting event.

But it also includes, for example, competition for a job.

When competition turns into rivalry, a more aggressive component comes into play.

Tricks are used that harm others.

Competition can spur us on to be more ambitious.

But we should focus on ourselves first of all, when envy comes in it becomes difficult.

(Iconic image) © Louis Christian/Imago

Reasons for competition: Low self-esteem should be pushed

There are many reasons for competition in professional life or in general.

No one can completely acquit themselves of the idea of ​​competition, because it is innate in us:

• Urgency:

  If you have a big ego, you usually also have a big competitive spirit.

  The recognition is sought in comparison.

• Self-esteem:

  Low self-esteem leads to comparison with others.

  The people concerned find their own value in this.

  They want to be better than others so they can be happy with themselves.

• Ambition:

  If you want to achieve a lot, you have to get past a lot of people.

Competition: This is how you can take advantage of the idea of ​​competition

Sometimes you compare yourself to others, sometimes you are compared to others.

If you handle it properly, you can get benefits for yourself.

You have to keep a few things in mind.

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Advantages of competitive behavior – unique selling propositions become apparent

• One's own weak points become clear:

  In addition to the strengths that crystallize through the competition, one's own weak points also become apparent.

  This is how you can develop personally.

• Increased self-confidence:

  Those who assert themselves against others increase their own self-confidence.

• Unique selling propositions become apparent:

  When you compete with others, the differences become clear.

  You notice: What makes you unique?

  Where can you score?

• Stronger focus:

  You have your goal in view of the competition.

  If you have competitors, then they are the engine that drives you so that you can set yourself apart.

• Successes are worth more when there is competition:

  Your own achievements and successes count more if people notice them and if they were achieved in competition.

Disadvantages of competition – Comparisons often cause stress

• Stress:

  Always measuring yourself against others is exhausting.

  There are comparisons that never end - it feels like a marathon that just doesn't end.

  There are no winners.

• Frustration:

  If you can't assert yourself against others, then that's frustrating.

  Especially if it happens a few times in a row.

  This can trigger self-twinkle.

• Mental stress:

  Panic can easily arise when enormous competitive situations arise in professional life.

  Open rivalry at work promotes mental stress, burnout and depression.

Whether the advantages or disadvantages outweigh your competitive behavior depends entirely on your attitude.

If you focus on self-reflection, then the benefits you can take away from it probably outweigh the negative ones.

Try to see everything as an opportunity and banish envy of other people from your thoughts.

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You do this against too much competition

If the situation at work gets too extreme, you shouldn't deal with it yourself.

Find

with people and try to find common ground.

For example, you can explain the benefits of working together.

If that doesn't help, tell

and look for a constructive solution together.

If these tips don't work, you should

consider changing