In Others’ Words: Winning (& announcing the winner of the Beach Bag Giveaway!)

“Winning isn’t getting ahead of others. It’s getting ahead of yourself.” ~Roger Staubach (1942-), Hall of Fame former quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys

So often, we make life a competition.

Wait … I won’t speak for you. I’ll keep this post focused on the one person I can speak for: me.

Ahem.

So often, I make life a competition. In our family, we joke about how competitive we are. If you’re ever around for a Vogt family game night, you’ll learn board games are fun … to a point. Yes, we like to win.

Here’s the thing about winning: Somebody else has to lose.

I know — brilliant deduction, right?

Here’s what I’ve realized: Ensuring I’m a winner by climbing over other people is no fun. When I label myself a winner at the expense of someone else, I foster a negative mindset about the other person. And playing the “I’m a winner and you’re the loser” game is  exhausting. I’m constantly checking to see how I’m doing based on how everyone else is doing. My position changes daily — sometimes hourly.

Am I against competition? Nope. I even believe kids need to experience both winning and losing. Life is made up off both, after all.

But I like Staubach’s perspective: How am I doing — as a woman, a wife, a mom, a writer — compared to me … yesterday? Have I matured? Changed? Learned something new? The reality is, I’m my toughest opponent.

In Your Words: What are you doing to get ahead of yourself today?

**Lindsay Harrel won the Beach Bag giveaway! Thanks to everyone who shared a romantic moment story!**

Please join me at my friend Jessica R. Patch’s blog today where we’re talking about postcards, llamas, wedding dresses and the two things I need to make it through the day!