Letting Go of Judgement in Competition: The Keys to Overcoming Obstacles in Life and Work

Last week, I watched the web series "Khakee: The Bihar Chapter" on Netflix. In one episode, Actor Ravi Kishan played the role of Abhyuday Singh, who was playing badminton with an opponent. However, Abhyuday's opponent was not serving well, which frustrated him. Abhyuday expressed his disappointment in Hindi, exclaiming "Tum sala hamara game bigad dega," which means "You will ruin my game." This made me realize the true meaning of #competition - it is not just about winning, but it is about striving to play beautifully and excellently while respecting one's opponent. It is an opportunity to reach a new level of #selfawareness in which each player do maximum effort to win and creates challenges for each other to discover their own game.

We live in an achievement-oriented society where achievements measure a person worth. We are loved or ignored based on achievements. There is an equation between self-worth and performance. Every achievement-oriented action becomes a criterion for defining one’s self-worth. For instance, parents may judge their children solely based on their academic marks, while bosses may evaluate employees solely on the results they produce. This kind of conditioning makes us judgemental when we try to see how well or poorly, we are doing. And in the case of competition, we seek opportunities where the opponent makes some mistake, and we succeed in the game. And our #judgmental mind starts trying too hard to win the game. It creates a stressful situation.

But this web series scene made me realize that competition is an opportunity for #selfdiscovery. It requires a practice of letting go to prove and asking a question- what do I want from the game? An answer could be I want to focus on the game and overcome nervousness. How can I do it? I can do it by watching the movement of the shuttlecock, and I want my opponent to create the greatest possible difficulties so I can discover what heights I can rise.

Keeping an eye on the shuttlecock requires #focus and non-judgmental awareness. This means seeing the game in the rhythm of the shuttlecock's movements rather than fixating on how well or poorly we're doing. It requires practicing #attention, where our mind is fully present in the here and now, without getting distracted by thoughts of past mistakes or future outcomes. As we become more focused, we transition into the role of an observer, and we start to feel the movement of the shuttlecock, almost as if it is speaking to us through the sound it makes. By doing so, we can stay in the flow of the game and derive greater satisfaction from the process of playing rather than just focusing on the #result.

Be the observer of life, and you'll uncover the hidden beauty in every moment.

In true competition, there are no winners or losers, instead, both players benefit from the effort to overcome the obstacles presented by each other. By focusing on the process of the game and the challenge it presents, both players can grow stronger and improve their skills. This collaborative attitude can lead to significant changes in how we approach competition and games in general, emphasizing #growth and development over simply winning.

All of this requires an attitude of natural learning where we let go of #emotional attachment to results and strive to do our best in every moment. This kind of awareness and focus can help to let go of anxiety and nervousness during the game, thereby minimizing the chances of making mistakes and losing the game.

Focus in the game is fundamentally no different from the focus needed to perform any task. This #selfawareness also applies to our work and business, where we often face competition from our peers. By practicing self-awareness and developing an attitude of doing our best, we can approach obstacles as opportunities to excel. It requires working in the rhythm of the current moment and being present with a focus on doing our best. This can help minimize anxiety and nervousness and develops a #growthmindset, where challenges and obstacles are viewed as #opportunities to learn and improve, rather than as setbacks or failures. This mindset can lead to a greater sense of resilience and adaptability, both of which are valuable traits in the fast-paced and ever-changing world of work. Additionally, by approaching competition with a mindset of self-improvement and #collaboration, we can build stronger relationships with our peers and colleagues, leading to greater success and satisfaction in our careers.

As a part of my ICF-ACC 100 hours of coaching practice, I have been deeply practicing self-awareness. From my #observation, some people tend to walk away when they encounter obstacles, while others start to explore ways to overcome them. And there are those who try to understand what's on the other side of obstacles before attempting to overcome them. Only when the reward is worth the effort, attempt to overcome the obstacles.  It's all about our attitude towards #selfdiscovery in the face of obstacles.

Growth comes from the attitude towards #selfdiscovery in the face of obstacles.

In conclusion, competition can be a valuable opportunity for growth and self-discovery if approached with the right mindset. By focusing on the process and collaborating with our opponents, we can cultivate a sense of resilience, adaptability, and satisfaction both in our personal and professional lives.

My related posts in self-awareness –

How ICF-ACSTH Program Helped Me Live a Conscious Life

Exploring Letting Go of Judgments: My Journey in Mastering Natural Learning

Quitting Tea Without Willpower: The Power of Self-Awareness in Breaking Bad Habits

The Transformative Power of Self-Awareness Harnessing Consciousness for Personal Growth and Fulfilment

Self-Awareness: The Lifelong Journey of Continuous Reflection and the Role of Suffering in Awakening