If you were to ask anyone that knows me personally if I was a competitive person, the answer would be a resounding yes. In whatever task it may be, I always try to find a way to make it competitive, big or small. I believe that competition is the catalyst that drives people. It is what causes people to improve continuously, and it’s ingrained in our innovative spirit here at Stevens. If you don’t have the drive to make yourself or others to be the best they can be, then what is the point of being alive?
When I was younger, I took part in martial arts. At each rank, or belt, you are given the privilege to learn new techniques and forms. Along the way, you are also matched up with people in similar age groups and ranks to compete for best forms and sparring. I didn’t win a lot at first, but each loss pushed me to work harder for the next competition. During my tenure as a martial artist, I was able to win two first place trophies and one second place trophy. I eventually worked all the way to my first degree black belt before deciding to end my career as I hit high school.
In high school, however, I took up a few different activities, one of those being Physics Olympics. Physics Olympics consisted of many high schools in my area competing in different physics and engineering related challenges. I started in the team as a freshman and continued to do it all the way through senior year. I was a even a co-captain my junior and senior years. I ensured that everyone on the team was on the same page: we competed to be the best representatives of our school and to win. Although we were never able to win the overall prizes, I do believe that this mentality allowed us to win gold in several of the individual events.
This year, I decided to dust off the old coxswain jacket and join the Stevens Crew team. Every practice I told myself and others: “This is where we beat NYU, Fairfield, Manhattan and any other crew that tries to stand in our way.” As the coxswain captain, I always try to push myself and others to be better than what they were before practice and remind them that we should always strive to be first. I get positive responses from most people about this, but there may be some who have doubt.
This is the struggle I face sometimes when I interact with people or read about things I disagree with. I have little patience for people with the lack of motivation or competitive drive. I always wonder why these people lack that spark to outdo themselves and others. Perhaps it was the way they were raised or they are completely complacent in nature. Either way, it doesn’t change the fact that I believe that complacency is just another form of laziness.
Be First to Comment