There's something about our human nature that enjoys being
competitive. It is built within us and almost mimics primitive behaviour. We
seem to have this inner desire to be the "top dog" -- doing things
quicker and smarter. It is sort of like self-preservation. We desire to go the
distance through all hardships and never stop.
This nature is very profound in athletes but we all have it
to some degree. We are naturally competitive and sometimes even with ourselves.
In sports, we usually always are supportive of a person or
team even if we don't like sports or never participate in them. Sports have
been around for about as long as mankind. And, we always want to be winners.
It's funny to see people who are typically quiet and in
self-control go crazy and lose it at the stock car races. We typically have no
control over it. Even the timidest of us will cheer the success of those who
are able to run, ski, kayak, swim, row, guide horses, or cycle faster than we
are able to. We seem to still want to be the strongest, healthiest, and
quickest. And, if we cannot be that then we love to support those who can be.
It is all psychological really. It gives us a good feeling
inside. It's like "virtual racing" or "virtual challenge."
We are addicted to this feeling of wanting to be the winner
in the various "races" of life. We are not exactly concerned as to
why we feel this way but we do nonetheless. We just want to be the fastest.
We love to be winners and everyone loves a winner. Being
winners makes us feel better about ourselves. Even if we are bystanders to a
race and contribute no input, we are still happy just being part of it. We even
feel as if we are part of the team too.
In order to race effectively, we have to properly train and
direct our inner feelings of anxiety properly. This must be done even before
the start of the race. The feelings of anxiety produce a positive force that
will have an effect on the competitive part of our brains.
We need the anxiety in order to maintain a racing state of
mind. If we did not have anxiety then we would find it hard to get motivated to
win. It would not be "exciting" enough for us.
The person in the stands watching also helps to increase the
energy level in the racing environment. Without the energy level or charisma,
there would be no purpose to watching the race and we certainly would be
apathetic to who will win or lose. It's all in the preparation and the
competition. We describe it with phrases like "getting into the zone,"
"going with the flow" and keeping up the momentum. We always want to be
mobilized, ready, have a vision of our victory to come.
We all must have goals in order to accomplish anything in
life. We need to set them, practice them, and strive to reach them on a consistent
basis.
For all of us, there is nothing to compare to winning. Even
if we don't win, we love the thrill of the game. We love to watch the horse
races with the jockeys speeding around the track on sleek, well-built horses.
And lastly, we are thrilled to pull for others because we love to see them be
winners too.
And it's not just racing. More than likely the swimming
teams, track star fans, and downhill skiing racers would totally understand
competition too.
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