Quote:
Originally Posted by Mivo
My "issue" (too strong a word) with competition is that it's so often not about improvement, but about being better than someone else (not even yesterday's self). This is why I prefer team-oriented goals, and a team can excel, too.
Maybe my views are too idealistic. Perhaps I have seen too many colleagues turn to alcohol or other drugs, some to escape the race for a bit, others to boost their performance -- so that they could be better, better than someone else.
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I almost see your point if the goal is not to be better but personally directed at someone specific especially if it is motivated by dislike. Doesn't seem most people are that way, but I could be wrong. There is always someone at the top to beat, but that is the same in most aspects of life. Very few people are the best at everything but some are.
Some people are naturally motivated, some (more?) need a carrot on a stick. Giving everyone a prize is doing the carrot on the stick people a disservice perhaps.
Personally I have found more people resort to alcohol and drugs do to being unemployable or being stuck on the bottom rung of the rat race with no chance for advancement or even a living wage.
Lots of sober people who are not completely unhappy in all walks of life though. Perhaps your successful colleagues are unlucky in that they can afford to pay for alcohol or drugs, but I am inclined to say boohoo even though I know it is unworthy of me. I guess I would rather be a reasonably well off substance abuser than a dirt poor one given the choice.
Helen