"競争は他人との間にあるのではなく、自分と自我との間にある。"

The heart of this idea is that our biggest battles aren't with other people—it's with the part of ourselves that puffs us up, makes us defensive, and can blind us to our true potential. When we think about competition, we often imagine it being against someone else, but the real struggle is internal. It's about overcoming our own pride, insecurities, and the need to prove ourselves to others.

Historically, this concept has been echoed in various wisdom traditions and philosophies. It's been a part of Stoic philosophy, where thinkers like Marcus Aurelius emphasized self-control and inner focus. In modern times, it's something we see in the self-help movement and even in sports psychology, where the focus is on personal bests rather than beating others.

Imagine you're in a job where you have a colleague who's always outshining you. It's easy to get caught up in trying to outdo them, but that path leads to frustration and distraction. Instead, what if you focused on being better than you were yesterday? Improving your own skills, learning more, and developing a healthier mindset? That's the essence of competing against your ego instead of another person.

To put this into practice, start by setting personal goals. These should be things you can control, like "I want to improve my presentation skills" or "I aim to finish my project a day early." Notice how these goals aren't about being better than someone else—they're about being a better you. When you achieve these goals, your confidence grows, but it’s grounded in real progress, not just in being one-up on someone.

Think of a time when you felt jealous of a friend’s success. Maybe they got the job you wanted or hit a milestone you haven’t yet. Instead of letting that jealousy fester, use it as fuel to look inward. What can you do to improve your own path? Reflect on what you’ve achieved and set new personal challenges. It’s a shift in mindset that changes everything.

Here's a little story for you. Picture a runner who's always trying to beat the guy in the next lane. Every race, he's obsessed with the competition. Sometimes he wins, sometimes he doesn’t, but he's always stressed. Now imagine if he changed his focus to beating his own best time. He'd be training smarter, running more relaxed, and finding joy in his progress. The irony? He might end up winning more races anyway, but the biggest win would be the inner peace and satisfaction he gains.

Applying this wisdom isn't always easy, but it's worth it. Start by catching yourself when you feel that competitive urge directed outward. Pause and redirect it inward. Ask, "How can I improve myself?" Celebrate your small victories—they're stepping stones. Over time, you'll find that what others are doing matters less, and your own growth matters more.

So next time you feel that competitive fire, remember, it's not about beating anyone else. It's about taming your ego and being the best version of yourself. And hey, if you slip up, don’t stress. We all do. Just get back to focusing on your own lane, your own path. You're in this race with yourself, after all.