Were you ever competitive?

@TheHorse (224948)
Walnut Creek, California
December 27, 2024 12:37pm CST
Were you ever competitive with others when you were growing up? I realize now, in my old age, that I was quite competitive. I played sports a lot and liked to WIN. I was competitive with my brother (one year younger) about this and that. I started to mellow at a certain point, even though I still played sports. I could tell I liked winning, but I guess I was a bit more sure of myself. My love of singing harmony grew as a part of enjoying teamwork over my own achievement. But sometimes a thought creeps in that reminds me that I was once quite competitive. I want my guitar leads to be "solid," if not the best. I like getting the game-winning hit and being praised for it. Were you ever a competitive person? Have you mellowed with age?
13 people like this
13 responses
@Tampa_girl7 (52185)
• United States
27 Dec
Nah, I have never been competitive.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (224948)
• Walnut Creek, California
27 Dec
Interesting. Did you have siblings when you were growing up?
2 people like this
@Tampa_girl7 (52185)
• United States
27 Dec
@TheHorse Yes, I am the oldest of 4. Two sisters and one brother. I grew up with one sister who is 3 1/2 years younger. We have always been super close. I was almost 12 when my brother was born and 16 when my baby sis was born.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (224948)
• Walnut Creek, California
29 Dec
@Tampa_girl7 I wonder what leads to being attached v. "sibling rivalry." I recon the two can coexist.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (108141)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
27 Dec
I am competitive when it comes to bowling. As I got older and realized that video games are what I can play without outside distractions that happen in a bowling setting.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (224948)
• Walnut Creek, California
27 Dec
I like "real" bowling and have "bowled" online as well. Is there a "free" place I can bowl away without downloading anything?
2 people like this
@TheHorse (224948)
• Walnut Creek, California
28 Dec
@Deepizzaguy I will search.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (108141)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
28 Dec
@TheHorse I cannot remember any sites where you and I download a bowling game.
1 person likes this
@kareng (71515)
• United States
28 Dec
Yes, being competitive fuels the fire! I did not play sports in high school, but always loved sports. In middle school, none of the girls liked to play baseball. I loved it. The boys finally included me in the game. This was a small private school. My last year there we finally got cheerleaders. I did not even want to do that. When I moved to the new school the girls were all sissy's. I just did my own thing.
1 person likes this
@kareng (71515)
• United States
28 Dec
@TheHorse Our Church youth group had a co-ed team and we played games just about weekly. It was a lot of fun.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (224948)
• Walnut Creek, California
28 Dec
I am glad you enjoyed playing.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (224948)
• Walnut Creek, California
29 Dec
@kareng I have been on co-ed softball teams. It can be fun! I wonde why the girls were sissies at the later school.
1 person likes this
@much2say (57381)
• Los Angeles, California
29 Dec
Growing up, I wasn't exactly "competitive" towards others, but I wanted to be the best at certain things - if that makes sense. I wanted to be the smartest one in class (maybe up until junior high), have the best art related projects in class, be a great roller skater (though I was doing it by myself on the sidewalk) - that sort of thing. Interestingly, I never felt competitive towards my younger sister, but I do feel even til this day she is competitive towards me. As an adult, perhaps I have become more "competitive". In my late 20's - mid 30's, I was a competitive figure skater - yep. I also took dance classes at a community class at that time and was competitive towards the "kids" who were younger than me . . . they never knew I was the oldie there .
1 person likes this
@much2say (57381)
• Los Angeles, California
30 Dec
@TheHorse Why do you think our younger sibs felt so competitive towards us? Mine would never admit to it. Her passive-aggressive comments to stomp on my accomplishments makes me think she enjoys making me look/feel bad.
@TheHorse (224948)
• Walnut Creek, California
29 Dec
Heh. I was always a wobbly skater. I didn't start until I was nine, when we moved from California to Chicago.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (224948)
• Walnut Creek, California
29 Dec
My younger brother has always felt competitive toward me. But we were good at different things. To this day, I don't think he enjoys my successes.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (349717)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Dec
I've certainly mellowed with age. I'm a bit competitive but mostly pretty chilled I think.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (224948)
• Walnut Creek, California
29 Dec
I still want to be known as a "solid" guitarist and a good singer.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (349717)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Dec
@TheHorse There is nothing wrong with wanting to be competent at something. I don't think that really counts as 'competitive'.
@Shiva49 (27039)
• Singapore
28 Dec
I was not competitive at any stage of my life. I remained aware I needed to enjoy rather than put pressure on myself. I went for balance all the way and that suited my temperament.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (224948)
• Walnut Creek, California
29 Dec
What is your main line of work?
1 person likes this
@Shiva49 (27039)
• Singapore
30 Dec
@TheHorse I was in the industry as a CFO. I wanted to work for a living but not let work dictate my lifestyle.
@kaylachan (76457)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
28 Dec
I can be, but it has to be if I have the energy for it.
@wolfgirl569 (113867)
• Marion, Ohio
28 Dec
I was a little bit. Still am at times
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (113867)
• Marion, Ohio
29 Dec
@TheHorse Like when that goofy woman at the auction bids against me. She is not allowed to win
@TheHorse (224948)
• Walnut Creek, California
29 Dec
In what areas?
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (83541)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
27 Dec
I have been competitive when it came to creative things,
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (83541)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
27 Dec
@TheHorse I already know you are the best piano and guitar teacher there is,
@TheHorse (224948)
• Walnut Creek, California
27 Dec
You want your works to be "the best"? The funny thing is that the ancient me recognizes is that there are many ways to be the "best," even in sports. Striking use of color. Emotional impact. Thought-provokingness. Attention to detail. Power hitting. Defense. Situational awareness. Throwing arm. This afternoon I want to be the "best" piano and guitar teacher I can be.
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (16902)
• Raurkela, India
28 Dec
You have to be competitive to be successful in life but should never allow it to turn into jealousy.
@TheHorse (224948)
• Walnut Creek, California
29 Dec
That is an important distinction. Jealousy can make people "mean." I look up to guitar players like Alex DeGrassi, but I do not think I am "jealous" of them. They inspire me to keep learning.
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (16902)
• Raurkela, India
3 Jan
@TheHorse Taking inspiration from experts takes us ahead in our career.
@LindaOHio (185512)
• United States
28 Dec
I always hated to lose at board games and things like that. I was never very athletic. The only sport I was decent at was volleyball. Have a good weekend.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (224948)
• Walnut Creek, California
29 Dec
Heh. I enjoyed winning at Monopoly.
1 person likes this
• India
28 Dec
I was competitive when it came to studies and competition during school days. As I got older , the challenges in personal life , made it difficult to focus on these and hence lost interest. Could also say things got way above my competition and there was less chance to win those with the challenges I had. I do get a thrill when I am competitive and the rush of things and victories well they are sweet, although they are now rare and less compared to school days. For rest of things in life, I need to be absolutely competitive to achieve my results. Good to know your interests. Enjoy the weekend!
@TheHorse (224948)
• Walnut Creek, California
29 Dec
You too.
1 person likes this
28 Dec
I get it, I’m a university student and since my first year, I’ve been the top of my class. Some classmates are dying to take my spot, but my pride and stubbornness won’t let me lose it. I’ve taken final exams while sick, and even then, they can’t beat my scores.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (224948)
• Walnut Creek, California
29 Dec
I had an odd tendency when I was in college. I always wanted to get A-. I wanted to be very good, but not the best. I do not know why.