You don’t beat the competition by continuously wasting your energy on surveillance. “How is this one doing? How is that one doing?” Do what you have to do, and the results, let them show up on their own. And then even if the result is not great, you say, “Fine, who cares?” Why? Because you anyway had a good time; you were doing what you loved to do. You beat the competition not by targeting the competition, but by being with yourself.
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Questioner: So, my question to you is: since 10th onwards, I have been into this competition cycle, like first getting good grades in 10th, then later on clearing JEE. Then, after coming to college, we realized that we not just have to be good at academics but also develop communication skills, get exposure, and also worry about our placements. After getting jobs, I have seen many people talk about perks, incentives, etc.
I had recently read a quote in your recent book Truth Without Apology. The quote says, “The joy of overcoming yourself is much deeper and more authentic than the fleeting pleasure of indulging yourself.”
Now, if a person is always into competition, when would he have time to pursue his passion, if he’s always competing with someone else?
Acharya Prashant: That’s right. Well said. See, there are two types of competitions. One is when you are running alongside the other and continuously looking at the other. Obviously, if you’re continuously looking at the other, there can be no passion, no love, no inwardness. You are just looking at the other one, and the other’s actions are not controlled by you. The other can suddenly slow down and you’ll feel happy. But this happiness is borrowed happiness, right? Something happened there, and he dictated when you would be happy.
