Win the battle within, and you’ll be victorious regardless of the outcome. – Limhi

A student recently asked His Holiness the Dalai Lama about competition. Here’s what he said:

For the Dalai Lama, competition is good and positive when:

1. “You yourself are trying to be top.” Meaning it’s an internal competition with yourself. You’re trying to better yourself.
2. You are not creating problems for others.
3. You are being an example to others.
4. You are making an effort.

Over a century ago, Pierre de Coubertin (founder of the modern day Olympics), expressed a similar view about competition. He said:

The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.

Both HHDL and de Coubertin focus on the internal and personal competition. They remind us that making an effort and taking part are more important than wining. In their own way, each teaches us that the competition is within, and victory means outdoing yourself.

True success is “to have fought well” and reach your personal top. Regardless of whether or not you “get the prize”, you win when you better yourself.

For more inspiration watch my show Limhi.Live. It’s an online show that is part TED Talk, part call in radio show, and part variety show. It’s all inspiration and entertainment. Broadcasting daily beginning at 5:30 PM (MST). You can also watch it over at Twitch.