Blogs: Jack finds competition is the key to success

Post 30, December 2012

Jack has finished his degree. He has recently moved to sunny Spain to pursue his career

I have had to re-write this introduction three times now, and it doesn't get any easier. Although I am aware I am supposed to be seen as a beacon of experience, guidance and counsel, I am also aware that I fail to do any of the above through constructive and coordinated advice.

I shall make a more concerted effort to offer the masses more than just ramblings, gripes and quips that fall into my head and fester for a month prior to writing...

Unless you actually enjoy them and want me to carry on? In the true spirit of free market economics and a capitalist society, the choice is yours!
Anywho, with December now here and the jump racing calendar in full swing, not to mention football, rugby, darts, cricket and snooker, it's fair to say that I am one happy camper.

And from here on in, it only gets better, folks. At the time of writing, we are 98 days away from 'The Greatest Show on Turf' - Cheltenham to Joe Public.

To recollect my horrible days of A-Level maths, I seem to find my negative mood is inversely proportional to the number of days I have to wait for my yearly fix. Kids have Christmas, middle-aged women have holidays, and I have Cheltenham.

To use another A-Level maths terms, (they're like buses) I also feel that my productivity and general outlook on life increases exponentially as we creep towards March. It is easier to navigate through the sporting calendar and a damn sight more fun. 

Some people who shall remain nameless don't really understand the fixation and fascination with sport in general, and I shall explain.

Competition is just one of, it not the best driving force in society. Survival of the fittest has proven this theory over thousands of years, and it is through the pure spirit and primitive urge to win.

Take darts for instance, the simplest of sports. You have 501 points, and aim to beat your opponent by taking the fewest number of darts to win the leg, by hitting a winning double. Best of however many legs win the match. Surely no one wants to watch something that sounds so drab and dull? Wrong.

People do want to because of the emotion and spirit that is generated from the fine line between winning and losing. Phil Taylor is a man who has won 15 (that's 15) World Championships, yet winning a tournament that was staged at Butlins and broadcast on ITV4 left this 20-stone living legend close to tears.

Similarly, an equally behemothian man, his opponent Andy Hamilton, went 9-5 up against Taylor only to lose 10-9. He was absolutely inconsolable.
Taylor won £15,000 but the money was irrelevant, the feeling of victory and calling yourself the champion was the sole prize this gentle giant craved.

And when all is said and done, it comes to what drives you. Those at the very top of their professions, games, industries, etc, are there because of their drive, motivation and more importantly, their desire to win.

Whether it is for self-validation, vindication or an overt sense of belonging, they refuse to settle for less. Whether it be David Beckham, Phil Taylor, Tiger Woods, Tony McCoy, they share similar attributes; the eternal search of doing everything in their power to win.

Taylor may throw darts and Beckham may kick balls. Different skills, but the same message; practice, practice, practice.

Whatever your line of work, whatever profession, if you work harder than the rest, then you will be rewarded accordingly. It is hardly coincidence or by pure fluke, and people who would suggest that, tend to be those nearer the other end of the spectrum.

Work harder now, reap the benefits later.