I don’t join the wellness contests at work (form a team and count steps, etc.). I never cared if I won at chess or Monopoly or Chutes and Ladders. If I run in race, the only person I run against is younger me’s last best time. I once quit a card game at work because the guys I was playing with were far too serious and I wasn’t having fun. If my football team loses, I’m over it about 5 minutes later. My car is an Audi because I like it, not because it’s ‘better’ than somebody else’s Honda. I almost entirely lack the competitive gene.
Not being competitive doesn’t mean I don’t want to do well though – or be recognized when I do well. I just don’t need to win to feel good. I just want to have fun and enjoy what I’m doing. And people who take games (or anything) too seriously put me off. Competition just doesn’t motivate me. I do my best and let the chips fall where they may.
Yesterday I landed on the Food Network for a few episodes of a reality holiday baking competition, and I quickly found it irritating. I don’t get why there is a time clock on good baking. All the bakers are stressed out and make mistakes because of the need to cook fast. When did cooking become a speed event? Why aren’t they given sufficient time? OK, I know the answer to that – because the time crunch makes for more exciting TV. Yup – even though the program is edited for time anyway. I’m totally that person that would put down her mixing spoon to help the baker whose has to start her cake from scratch again. Winning feels good, of course, but I have a good life whether I win or not. “A flower does not think of competing with the flower next to it; it just blooms.” I’m a chrysanthemum. :)
Not being competitive doesn’t mean I don’t want to do well though – or be recognized when I do well. I just don’t need to win to feel good. I just want to have fun and enjoy what I’m doing. And people who take games (or anything) too seriously put me off. Competition just doesn’t motivate me. I do my best and let the chips fall where they may.
Yesterday I landed on the Food Network for a few episodes of a reality holiday baking competition, and I quickly found it irritating. I don’t get why there is a time clock on good baking. All the bakers are stressed out and make mistakes because of the need to cook fast. When did cooking become a speed event? Why aren’t they given sufficient time? OK, I know the answer to that – because the time crunch makes for more exciting TV. Yup – even though the program is edited for time anyway. I’m totally that person that would put down her mixing spoon to help the baker whose has to start her cake from scratch again. Winning feels good, of course, but I have a good life whether I win or not. “A flower does not think of competing with the flower next to it; it just blooms.” I’m a chrysanthemum. :)