Achieving Healthy Competition and THE TALENT by Daniel D’Addario
- Marisa Gelfand
- 8 hours ago
- 2 min read
The Best Actress race is shaping up to be fierce. As expected, there are five nominees: the perennial winner, the assumed runner-up, the stage actor, the hot mess, and the child star. But this isn’t just any year. This is a rematch between two veterans: Adria, the perennial winner, and Jenny, the assumed runner-up.
Both were nominated for the first time in the same year. Adria won. Since then, she’s built a dazzling career—box office hits, critical acclaim, leading roles. Jenny took a different path: passion projects, some misses, and choices lacking artistic integrity. But now, years later, they’re back in the same category. While the other three nominees add flavor, Adria and Jenny, and their years-long competitive rivalry, is a story all its own.
Competition is inevitable, and some rivalries become iconic. Think Yankees and Red Sox. Venus and Serena.
It’s a double-edged sword. Competition can stem from insecurity, anxiety, fear of failure and a desire for external validation. When left unchecked, it can cause conflict, stress, and demoralization.
Conversely, healthy competition, pushing oneself to healthy limits while enjoying the competitive process, inspires. It can also lead to personal growth, increased motivation, and pride in accomplishments. Healthy competition encourages fairness, respect for others, and resilience.
Striking the right balance is essential. Here are tools for achieving healthy competition:
Focus on Self-Improvement: Instead of obsessing over where others are, measure yourself against your past. What skills have you gained? What setbacks have you overcome? What risks have you taken? Progress is often more powerful than trophies.
Play Fair and Stay Human: Get to know your competitors. Find something you genuinely admire in them. Compete with integrity. You can respect someone’s talent and still want to win. And if you lose, allow yourself to mourn your loss while also honoring their moment.
Keep Perspective: You are not defined by any single success or failure. You’re a full, complex person with value that extends far beyond any title. Stay grounded in who you are, and let competition be part of your growth, not your sole identity.
