Stop Settling: How Competing Against Yourself Transforms Your Career

“Oh well, you know, I’m doing just as well as everybody else; nobody’s hitting goal, so it’s not that big of a deal.”

Every time I hear this, my blood boils. This is the wrong mentality. Success doesn’t come from comparing yourself to others or skating by at the same level as your peers. It comes from pushing yourself, competing against your own potential, and relentlessly striving to be the best version of yourself.

In this article, I’ll share why mediocrity is the enemy of greatness, how to break free from the pack mentality, and how you can unlock your true potential. Along the way, I’ll sprinkle in personal stories from my career to show you how adopting a mindset of self-competition has been my game-changer.

The Danger of Settling for "Good Enough"

Settling for mediocrity doesn’t just hurt you—it hurts your team, your organization, and your customers. When you say, “I’m doing as well as everyone else,” you’re giving yourself permission to coast. This mindset is a slippery slope to stagnation.

Instead, ask yourself:

• Am I pushing myself to be better today than I was yesterday?
• Am I finding ways to add more value to my customers?
• Am I truly leaving it all on the field?

My Personal Turning Point: Missing Goal

I’ve missed goal one year of my life. While I could point to two factors beyond my control as contributing causes, the truth is, that’s irrelevant. What mattered was how I responded.

That year, I studied diligently what worked and what didn’t. I analyzed every misstep, reflected on my strategies, and made a commitment to come back better. The following year, I obliterated my goals. Missing the mark was painful, but it fueled a transformation that made me stronger and sharper.

Obsess Over Relationships and Resources

I believe this to my core: if you obsess over relationships and resources, you’ll never have to worry about results. Relationships—with customers, colleagues, and mentors—are the lifeblood of long-term success. Resources—tools, knowledge, and skills—are what empower you to deliver.

In one of my largest deals, I leaned heavily on both. By nurturing executive relationships on LinkedIn, creating a cadence with stakeholders, and leveraging internal resources, I closed a nine-figure deal that transformed my career. This wasn’t luck; it was the result of relentless effort and an unshakable focus on relationships and resources.

Your Goal: Elevate Yourself and Others

Your goal isn’t to be like everybody else. It’s to:

• Use your unique skills and superpowers to deliver wins for your customers.
• Inspire and elevate your team by setting a standard of excellence.
• Continuously grow, learn, and evolve.

The truth is, there are thousands of people lining up who may want your job more than you do. What sets you apart is the drive to be better every day and to leave a lasting impact.

Practical Steps to Compete Against Yourself

1. Set Personal Benchmarks: Define clear, measurable goals for yourself that go beyond your company’s targets.
2. Reflect and Learn: After every success and failure, take time to analyze what worked and what didn’t.
3. Leverage Feedback: Seek input from mentors, peers, and even customers to identify areas for improvement.
4. Invest in Growth: Read, attend workshops, and stay ahead of trends in your industry.
5. Focus on Value: Ask yourself daily: How am I adding value to my team and my customers?

The "All In" Mindset

To succeed, you’ve got to have that special something driving you—a relentless passion, an insatiable curiosity, and a commitment to leave no stone unturned. Whether it’s your first deal or your biggest, approach every challenge with the mindset that failure is simply not an option.

Key Takeaways

• Compete against your potential, not your peers.
• Focus on relationships and resources—the results will follow.
• Learn from every experience, good or bad, and use it to fuel your growth.
• Bring your unique strengths to the table to deliver value.
• Never settle for mediocrity; always push for greatness.

The question isn’t whether you’re doing as well as everyone else. The question is: Are you truly giving it your all? The path to success isn’t about being better than others—it’s about being the best version of yourself. When you commit to relentless growth, focus on relationships, and strive to leave it all on the field, success becomes inevitable.

So, are you ready to compete against yourself and unlock your full potential?

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