We often make the mistake of believing that competition means beating, humiliating, or banishing the "opponent." We forget that:

"There is nothing noble in being superior to some other person. The true nobility is in being superior to your previous self."
- Indian Proverb

After all:
"The only competition worthy of a wise man is with himself".
- Anon

It is undeniable that there are many similarities between competition in sports, card and board games and the very serious "competition" in business and the professions:

"If you know your strength it never becomes a weakness. If the market knows your strength then it becomes a weakness."
- Shailendra Singh

And one of the greatest weaknesses we can face is the complacency that often accompanies success:

"The time your game is most vulnerable is when you're ahead, never let up."
- Rod Laver

And we should never underestimate the importance of mental confidence (which emanates from preparedness) and toughness:

"Competitive golf is played mainly on a five-and-a-half-inch course, the space between your ears."
- Bobby Jones

But beware of the people who espouse the greatness of competition, free enterprise and entrepreneurship while secretly trying to avoid it by controlling others, both personally and organizationally:

"Like many businessmen of genius he learned that free competition was wasteful, monopoly efficient. And so he simply set about achieving that efficient monopoly."
- Mario Puzo

We should avoid these misguided individuals and the organizations where they reside, so we will not be there when their comeuppance occurs. For:

"Every man in the world is better than someone else and not as good someone else."
- William Saroyan

In conclusion - we are in a competitive world and being competitive when it counts is a must, not an option. Just keep in mind that:

"After the game the King and pawn go into the same box."
- Italian Proverb