Sadhguru explains how competence is more important than competition. This article delves into the nuances of competition and competence, exploring their implications for success, well-being, and fulfilment in the long run.
Article | May 22, 2004
Sadhguru: In today’s hyperactive world, we often find ourselves caught in the relentless pursuit of success, recognition, and validation. The driving force behind much of this pursuit is competition, a fundamental aspect of human nature. From early childhood, we are conditioned to believe that life is a race — one that we must win to secure our place in society. Schools, workplaces, and even personal relationships are steeped in competition. But is this mindset the key to true success and fulfilment? Can competition alone provide us with the satisfaction and growth we seek?
On the other side of this debate stands the concept of competence — the idea that mastering one’s craft, focusing on personal growth, and cultivating excellence can lead to more authentic success. The battle between competition and competence is not new, but it has become increasingly relevant in the modern world as people grapple with burnout, stress, and the emptiness that sometimes accompanies competitive success.
Let us know how these two forces shape our personal and professional lives and propose a shift from a competition-driven existence to one rooted in competence and inner mastery.
Competition may bring short-term wins, but competence builds a lifetime of fulfilment.
The Origins and Nature of Competition
Competition is deeply ingrained in the human psyche. Historically, it has played a crucial role in the survival of the species. In the primal world, competition for resources such as food, shelter, and mates was necessary for survival and the continuation of the species. As civilizations advanced, competition evolved into more sophisticated forms. From tribal warfare to international sporting events, humans have continually engaged in competition to prove superiority, secure resources, and gain prestige.
In modern society, competition manifests in various ways:
Educational Competition: From an early age, children are ranked based on their academic performance. High grades, test scores, and entrance into prestigious institutions often become the defining measures of a person’s worth and intelligence.
Professional Competition: In the workplace, employees often compete for promotions, raises, and recognition. This competition can foster innovation and hard work but can also lead to stress, burnout, and a cutthroat environment.
Social and Personal Competition: In the age of social media, competition extends to personal lives. People constantly compare their lives, relationships, and achievements with others, often leading to feelings of inadequacy and a desire to keep up with societal standards.
The race to outdo others leaves you exhausted, while the journey to mastery leaves you enlightened.
Positive Aspects of Competition
While competition can be overwhelming and stressful, it does have some positive aspects, particularly when it drives innovation and progress:
Increased Motivation: A healthy level of competition can push individuals to perform better, improve their skills, and achieve greater results. The desire to succeed in comparison to peers can fuel growth and drive progress.
Fostering Innovation: Competition, particularly in the business world, can lead to technological advancements, creative solutions, and better products and services. Companies strive to outdo each other, resulting in better outcomes for consumers.
Building Resilience: Facing competition teaches individuals to cope with failure and setbacks. It helps people develop resilience, adapt to changing circumstances, and find ways to overcome challenges.
Your greatest competitor is your untapped potential; focus on competence, not comparison.
Negative Aspects of Competition
Despite its potential benefits, competition can also lead to detrimental effects on both individuals and society:
Stress and Anxiety: Constant competition can create immense pressure to succeed, often leading to stress, anxiety, and burnout. When success is defined solely by others, individuals may feel perpetually inadequate, even if they are performing well.
Loss of Authenticity: In a highly competitive environment, people may lose sight of their true passions and values. Instead of pursuing what they genuinely care about, they might focus on what will make them look successful in the eyes of others. This can lead to unfulfilling careers and lives.
Disharmony and Conflict: Excessive competition can foster an "us versus them" mentality, resulting in jealousy, resentment, and hostility. Instead of working collaboratively, individuals may become overly focused on outdoing others, leading to conflict and disharmony.
Short-Term Focus: Competitive environments often prioritize short-term gains over long-term growth. People may cut corners, take unethical shortcuts, or neglect personal development in the pursuit of immediate success.
While competition fuels the ego, competence nourishes the soul.
The Concept of Competence: An Inner Approach to Growth
Unlike competition, which is outwardly focused on surpassing others, competence is about inward mastery. It is the pursuit of excellence, not about others, but about one’s potential. Competence is the ability to effectively and efficiently perform tasks and meet challenges by continuously developing skills, knowledge, and expertise.
Competence is about becoming the best version of oneself, independent of external comparisons. It is rooted in personal growth, self-awareness, and a deep commitment to mastery over time.
Attributes of Competence
Self-Mastery: Competence begins with self-awareness and self-regulation. A competent individual understands their strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. They seek to master their craft not because of external pressures, but out of an intrinsic desire for growth.
Continuous Learning: Competence is not a static state. It requires a commitment to continuous learning and improvement. Competent individuals never stop developing their skills and knowledge, even after they have achieved proficiency.
Focus on Process Over Outcome: While competition is outcome-driven, competence emphasizes the process. Competent individuals focus on the journey of improvement rather than fixating on external rewards. They find fulfilment in mastery, regardless of the accolades that may or may not come their way.
Collaboration and Contribution: Competence is not about outdoing others. Competent individuals often collaborate with others and seek to contribute to the greater good. They are not threatened by others’ success; instead, they are inspired by it and seek to learn from those who excel in their fields.
Long-Term Vision: Competence is about playing the long game. It is not about immediate success or short-term wins. Instead, competent individuals invest in their growth over time, understanding that mastery takes patience, persistence, and dedication.
Benefits of Competence
Inner Fulfillment: Competence leads to a deep sense of satisfaction and fulfilment. Because the focus is on personal growth and mastery, individuals find meaning in their work, regardless of external recognition.
Sustainable Success: Unlike competition, which often leads to burnout, competence leads to sustainable success. When individuals are motivated by a desire to improve rather than a desire to outdo others, they are more likely to stay committed and maintain their passion over the long term.
Collaboration and Harmony: Competence fosters a collaborative environment where individuals are more likely to support and uplift each other. Since the focus is not on beating others, but on mutual growth, relationships are more harmonious and productive.
Resilience and Adaptability: Competence builds resilience because individuals are more focused on the process than the outcome. Setbacks are seen as opportunities for growth rather than failures. Competent individuals are adaptable and able to navigate challenges with grace.
Competence transforms obstacles into opportunities, while competition turns them into battles.
The Intersection of Competition and Competence: Finding Balance
The debate between competition and competence is not about choosing one over the other. Both have their place in personal and professional development. However, it is crucial to strike a balance between the two.
Healthy Competition
Competition, when approached with the right mindset, can be healthy and productive. It can push individuals to step outside their comfort zones, strive for excellence, and push the boundaries of their capabilities. However, for competition to be healthy, it must be accompanied by a sense of competence.
Internal Motivation Over External Validation: Healthy competition is driven by internal motivation rather than a desire for external validation. Competent individuals engage in competition as a way to test their skills and improve, rather than to prove their worth.
Collaboration Over Rivalry: In a healthy competitive environment, individuals can compete while still collaborating. They respect and learn from their competitors, recognizing that everyone has something to offer. This creates an atmosphere of mutual growth rather than rivalry.
Focus on Growth Over Winning: In healthy competition, the focus is not on winning at all costs but on personal growth. Competitors see the process as an opportunity to challenge themselves and develop their skills, regardless of the outcome.
Competence as the Foundation
While competition can be a motivating factor, competence must be the foundation upon which success is built. Without competence, competition can become destructive, leading to stress, burnout, and unfulfilling success. Competence provides a stable base from which individuals can engage in competition without losing sight of their true goals.
Real-Life Examples: Competence and Competition in Action
In the Business World
The business world is often seen as a battlefield of competition, with companies striving to outdo each other in terms of profits, innovation, and market share. However, the most successful and sustainable companies are often those that focus on competence rather than competition.
Apple: While Apple is undoubtedly a competitive company, its success is rooted in competence. The company focuses on creating innovative, high-quality products that are user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing. Rather than fixating on what its competitors are doing, Apple prioritizes mastery in design and user experience, leading to long-term success.
Tesla: Tesla’s focus on competence is evident in its commitment to revolutionizing the automotive industry. Rather than competing with traditional car manufacturers, Tesla’s vision was to create electric cars that were both sustainable and technologically advanced. This focus on innovation and mastery of electric vehicle technology has allowed Tesla to dominate the market.
In Sports
While sports are inherently competitive, the most successful athletes are often those who prioritize competence over competition.
Usain Bolt: The legendary sprinter Usain Bolt is known for his remarkable speed and numerous world records. While he competed at the highest levels, Bolt’s success came from his dedication to mastery. He consistently focused on improving his technique, strength, and speed, rather than solely fixating on beating his competitors.
Michael Jordan: Widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, Michael Jordan’s success was rooted in his relentless pursuit of excellence. Jordan’s focus on competence, hard work, and continuous improvement allowed him to dominate the sport and set new standards for performance.
In the Arts
The world of art and creativity often transcends competition, with artists focusing on competence and personal expression rather than outperforming others.
Vincent van Gogh: While van Gogh struggled with recognition during his lifetime, his unwavering dedication to his craft and his pursuit of competence resulted in some of the most iconic works of art in history. He did not create to compete with others but to express his inner world and master his techniques.
Ludwig van Beethoven: Beethoven’s focus on competence and mastery of composition allowed him to transcend the competitive musical landscape of his time. His ability to innovate and push the boundaries of classical music made him one of the most influential composers in history.
The race may end in a moment, but the pursuit of competence is a journey that lasts a lifetime.
Shifting the Paradigm: From Competition to Competence
In a world that often glorifies competition, it is time to shift the paradigm toward competence. This shift requires a fundamental change in the way we approach success, growth, and fulfilment.
Redefining Success
Success must be redefined not in terms of external validation or the defeat of others but in terms of personal growth, mastery, and fulfilment. When individuals prioritize competence, they find deeper meaning in their work and lives, leading to more sustainable and authentic success.
Fostering a Culture of Collaboration
In both personal and professional settings, we must foster a culture of collaboration rather than competition. By supporting each other’s growth and celebrating each other’s successes, we can create environments where everyone thrives. Competence thrives in a culture of collaboration, where individuals are not threatened by others’ achievements but are inspired by them.
Prioritizing Long-Term Growth Over Short-Term Wins
Competence requires patience and dedication. To cultivate competence, individuals and organizations must prioritize long-term growth over short-term wins. This means investing in continuous learning, skill development, and personal mastery rather than focusing solely on immediate success.
The True Path to Fulfillment
The debate between competition and competence is not a simple one. Both have their place in the pursuit of success. However, while competition can drive short-term results, it is a competence that leads to lasting fulfilment, growth, and well-being.
By shifting our focus from outdoing others to mastering ourselves, we can cultivate a deeper sense of purpose, resilience, and satisfaction. True success comes not from defeating others but from becoming the best version of ourselves, guided by competence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
In the end, it is competence — the inner drive for excellence, mastery, and growth — that will sustain us on our journey toward true fulfilment. Competition may offer momentary victories, but competence offers a lifetime of meaning, joy, and authentic success.
