In today’s corporate landscape to include high school, college and professional sports it’s important to define competing and work ethic, exploring if there is a difference and why it matters and/or how it can help you get just a little bit better. Often these two words are thought of as the same, but today we explore how they can be related, yet very different.
Competing often implies striving to outperform others, while "work ethic" refers to the principles and values guiding one's approach to work, including dedication, diligence, and integrity. Someone with a strong work ethic might compete, but they could also prioritize collaboration, personal growth, or the pursuit of excellence without necessarily focusing on outdoing others, which is a distinct difference. Competing can/could overshadow work ethic if winning becomes the sole focus.
First, let’s start by saying that competing and work ethic are related concepts but with distinct differences, and here’s how:
1. Competing/competitor: Involves engaging in a contest, rivalry, deadline, project or comparison with others or yourself. It's often associated with striving to outperform others in a particular activity or achieving a goal. Competing can occur in various domains, including sports, academics, business, and personal endeavors. It's driven by the desire to win, excel, pursuit of excellence or prove one's capability relative to others.
a) Being a great competitor: These individuals can feel the moment, high emotional intelligence (EQ), what can I do to help, what does my team need from me now? How you handle pressure or hard? Aware of your weaknesses and diligently work to improve them. Awareness of how you prepare. The ability to see it before it takes place. Through self-awareness they adopt a cadence of competing with themselves often.
2. Work ethic/hard worker: This refers to the set of principles or values that guide an individual's approach to work and professional responsibilities. It encompasses qualities such as diligence, dedication, reliability, professionalism, and integrity in one's work (often learned early, but can also be refined as we grow). A strong work ethic entails taking pride in one's work, being committed to excellence, and consistently putting forth effort to achieve goals and fulfill obligations.
a) Having a strong work ethic or being a hard worker: These individuals are again reliable, consistent, intentional and can be trusted. Follow through will be seen/felt. You will feel or see dependability, prioritization, motivation, perseverance and self-care i.e., balance is a high priority.
While competing may involve demonstrating a strong work ethic to succeed, having a work ethic extends beyond competition. It's about how individuals conduct themselves in their work regardless of whether they are directly competing with others or themselves. Someone can have a strong work ethic even in non-competitive environments, such as when working independently or collaborating with others toward shared objectives.
Why does it matter? In today’s landscape emotional intelligence is a critical skill, which frankly begins/ends with ones “self-awareness.” Awareness in your ability to work hard and/or compete can take your growth potential to the next level.
Understanding the difference between hard work and competing can be immensely beneficial because it provides clarity on where to focus your efforts and how to approach challenges effectively. Create awareness here…bring the following to your reticular activation system (RAS), which will again help you gain clarity here.
1. Clarity of Goals: Hard work typically involves dedicating yourself to improving your skills, knowledge, and abilities without necessarily comparing yourself to others. Competing, on the other hand, often involves comparing yourself to others and striving to outperform them. Knowing which goal, you're aiming for helps you set clearer objectives and strategies towards your own growth.
2. Self-Improvement vs. External Validation: Hard work tends to be more internally motivated, focused on personal growth and development. Competing can sometimes be driven by external validation or the desire to win at all costs. Understanding this difference helps you prioritize intrinsic motivation over seeking validation from external sources.
3. Long-Term vs. Short-Term Perspective: Hard work is often associated with a long-term perspective, where consistent effort leads to gradual improvement and eventual success. Competing can sometimes prioritize short-term gains or victories, which may not necessarily lead to sustained success in the long run.
4. Collaboration vs. Rivalry: Hard work fosters a mindset of collaboration and cooperation, where individuals support each other in achieving common goals. Competing, especially when taken to extremes, can foster a culture of rivalry and adversarial relationships. Recognizing this difference can help you cultivate a more positive and supportive environment. **Critically important.
5. Resilience and Adaptability: Hard work teaches resilience and adaptability, as it involves facing challenges head-on and persisting through setbacks. Competing may sometimes lead to a focus on winning at all costs, which can undermine resilience and adaptability when faced with failure or unexpected obstacles. **See blog on GRIT.
By understanding these differences, you can tailor your approach to suit your personal and professional goals, ensuring that you're investing your time and energy in a way that aligns with your values and aspirations.
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