Some people want security. Others want rewards. Some want comfort. Others want acceptance. Competitors want a challenge. They want a worthy struggle that demands focus and skill.
Competitors take on the challenge but won’t wait for the right struggle to arrive. They seek it. If they can’t find it, they create it.
Competitors will create discomfort in the environment on purpose. It might spark a compelling struggle. They do this—naturally or strategically—for a few reasons:
- To feel the thrill of a challenge.
- To test their abilities, sharpen their skills, and grow.
- To separate competitors from players.
- To raise competitive effort in others.
- To gain an edge over those who avoid discomfort.
When competitors create discomfort, it causes friction within and between people. Even other competitors might get frustrated.
A competitor’s nature is to love struggle, seek discomfort, and overcome challenges. It energizes them but can annoy and exhaust non-competitors.
Every competitor creates discomfort—not to anger or be a jerk. Not to provoke or make things difficult. Well, maybe to provoke and make things a little more difficult.
But it is because they see that difficulty as a path to purpose and meaning, improvement and success. And if people need a push to get on that path, the competitor is willing to do it.
Event + Response = Outcome. Do the work.
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