In a world that seems to reward constant comparison, it’s easy to get so caught up in competitiveness that you lose sight of what really matters.
At first glance, www.vorosperformance.co.uk might look like it’s all about peak performance through competition — but nothing could be further from the truth. My approach redefines what ‘competition’ really means.
Here’s a story that changed the way I think about it.
A lower-rank karate student once found himself sparring a senior. Lacking the skill and experience to match his opponent, he resorted to tricks and clever manoeuvres, all of which were easily countered.
Frustrated, flustered, and completely outclassed, he walked off the mat feeling defeated.
The chief instructor had been watching. After the session, he invited the student into his office. He drew a straight line on a blank sheet of paper.
“Tell me,” he said, “how can you make this line shorter?”
The student tried everything: cut the line, erase it, fold the page.
When he ran out of ideas, the instructor simply drew another line: longer, bolder and right beside the first.
“Now how does the original line look?”
“Shorter,” the student replied.
“Exactly,” the instructor said. “It’s always better to extend your own line of knowledge than to waste energy cutting someone else’s.”
I’ve spent most of my life in a fiercely competitive industry where being ‘better’ often decides who gets the gig.
This simple principle has kept me grounded and focused for years.
If you feel like your attention has drifted, or your focus isn’t where it should be, maybe it’s time to draw a new, longer line.
Adapted from ‘Rhythm of the Head’ by Georg Voros.
Georg Voros is a musician and performance specialist with 45+ years of top-level experience and author of two books on performance. He delivers high-impact workshops on productivity and flow, and offers tailored mentoring packages to support personal growth and achievement. Learn more at www.vorosperformance.co.uk
