YOU ARE YOUR OWN COMPETITION

By Maurice Tanel

The Only Person You Have To Be Better Than Is Yourself

In today’s hyper-connected world, it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to everyone else. But real growth—true progress—happens when you focus on you. That’s why the most important competition you’ll ever face is the one against who you were yesterday.

For the goalies and athletes who prepare with purpose before they ever step on the ice, success often follows. That success might not always show up on the scoreboard, but it always shows up in the way they improve—the way their game sharpens, their confidence builds, and their presence grows.

At Team Shutout, we tell our students:

“Don’t focus on the results that will get you noticed. Focus on the actions that will make you better.”

The Comparison Trap

Not long ago, if your team lost a game by ten goals, no one outside the arena knew about it for days—maybe even weeks. And by then? No one cared.

Fast forward to today: game scores, stats, and standout plays are shared live—sometimes by the second—on social media and messaging apps. There’s nowhere to hide. And worse? We’re constantly fed filtered highlight reels of everyone else’s “best life.”

The pressure to compare is relentless. Who won? Who lost? Who got drafted? Who didn’t? Who just posted another perfect day? But here’s what we all need to remember:

Social media is a curated version of life—not reality.
No one posts the struggle, the setback, or the quiet work it takes to get better. We only see the shine, not the sweat.

Feeling the Pressure to Compare? Ask Yourself These Questions…

  1. Am I focusing too much on results and not enough on my actions?

Social media shines a spotlight on outcomes—wins, trophies, recognition. But real progress lives in the day-to-day behaviors that most people never see.

Fight Back:
Start tracking your daily actions, not just your stats. Build habits with purpose and intent. Progress is built through repetition, not recognition.

  1. Do I know what triggers my negative self-talk or comparison spirals?

Certain people, posts, or even conversations can push you into that “I’m not good enough” mindset. Pay attention to what pulls you off track.

Fight Back:
Set boundaries with the things (and people) that drag you down. Prioritize spaces, teammates, and mentors that lift you up and remind you of your worth and direction.

  1. Is my social media helping me grow—or making me doubt myself?

What you see every day shapes how you feel. If your feed leaves you feeling behind or discouraged, it’s time to clean house.

Fight Back:
Take control of your environment. Unfollow or mute accounts that spark comparison. Keep the ones that inspire, teach, or support your goals.

Final Thought

Progress takes time. Growth takes effort. And success—real, meaningful success—comes from focusing on your own journey.

So next time you feel the urge to compare, remind yourself:

The only person you have to be better than is the one you were yesterday.

Keep showing up. Keep doing the work. Keep chasing your improvement.

For further information on this or any other questions you may have, please feel free to contact Maurice (Moe) Tanel by email at [email protected]