What About Competition in Sports?

Back in October, a reader posted this comment to a post here (3 Things You're Doing to Waste Time):

"Dear Tony, love everything you say, really. Just clarify one thing please. In the sogr , Mr Wallace says to get out of the competitive mindset. If that were so, then all tennis players, football players and virtually all sportsmen would be put of business. There are places where getting into the creative mindset seems to not work.. What's yourview on this Because tennis players themselves prosper only after defeating someone else. In other words the competitive mindset s not optional its inevitable"

To which I replied:

"Tell you what, I'll do my best to address that in a blog post in the not too distant future. For now, suffice it to say, I think it all depends on the attitude in which it's approached. Thanks for your comment!"

Well, the "not too distant future" has arrived and I thought I'd take a moment today to address this issue.

First, my disclaimer. As this isn't something that directly affects me nor is it related to a subject I'm interested in, it's not something I've given a lot of thought to.

That being said, I do have a couple of quick thoughts on the subject:

1. If the sport is approached for the game that it is with the objective of doing your best and letting the chips fall where they may (and really mean it!), then I think you can play sports professionally and still follow Wallace D. Wattles' philosophy.

2. If, on the other hand, it's approached with the objective of beating someone else, then no I don't think you can play sports professionally and still follow Wallace D. Wattles' philosophy.

It's pretty much that simple in my mind. Thus, the short answer I gave in my reply:

"... I think it all depends on the attitude in which it's approached."

That's what I think. What do you think? If you have a thought on the subject you'd like to share, please feel free to leave a comment to this post. I'd love to hear to hear from you!

By the way, while we're on the subject, nowhere in his writings did Mr. Wattles address the subject of competition better than he did in a series of three articles he wrote under the tile The Law of Opulence. Click or tap the links below to get your copy today.

Click or tap here to get The Law of Opulence on Amazon Kindle.

Click or tap here to get The Law of Opulence along with eighty-one other rare books and articles by Wallace D. Wattles on Amazon Kindle.

Click or tap here to get a special enhanced version of The Law of Opulence on Amazon Kindle.

No Kindle? No problem! Click or tap here to get a free Kindle reading app for your device.

Prefer paperback?

Click or tap here to get The Law of Opulence in paperback on Amazon.

Click or tap here to get The Law of Opulence along with sixty-nine other rare books and articles by Wallace D. Wattles in paperback on Amazon.

Related Page:

The Law of Opulence by Wallace D. Wattles

Related Posts:

Does Competition Help You Succeed?

Who on Earth Was "Golden Rule" Jones?!

Comments

[Herb Underwood]

Hi Tony, Herb here. I like the question. In my case it has caused a thought or two because I play Bridge and dable at chess. In bridge, especially in duplicate it is very competatvie, in fact it is very cut throat. So I just play friendly bridge and in chess it is no contest, I won't win. Thanks, Herb

[Tony Mase]

Hi to you too Herb. I appreciate your comment. Thank you!

[Rich Mantoan]

The way I would approach competitive sports with the creative mindset is to only "compete" with myself to perform in the best, most creative way possible and make the fewest mistakes possible and have a clear vision of what it would take to do this. Your approach is not to beat someone but to be the best you can be. Inspiring your teammates to do the same if it's a group sport could be very empowering.

[Veli J.Mmatladi]

Good day Tony, this is Veli here.The reader's "Competition in Sport".I accept your reply as most appropriate although to my opinion not expansive enough. My understanding of Wallace D.Wattles'philosophy in this regard is not about competition for a genuine living (which the sports codes mentioned are about)but only for what ones doesn't actually Need but Want to proof a point which is not necessary.You want to be better than everybody.This attitude to my opinion is the results of an inherent selfish and cruel mental condition.

[Tony Mase]

@Rich Mantoan: Thanks for your comment. Much appreciated!

[Tony Mase]

@Veli J.Mmatladi: Good day to you as well Veli. If I understand your point correctly, which I may not, quite the opposite is true. Mr. Wattles was referring to what you do for a living when it comes to competition. Thanks for your comment!