YOU ARE YOUR OWN COMPETION

Growth Isn’t a Contest—It’s a Commitment

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 a team lost by ten goals, few people outside the arena would know. Days—sometimes weeks—could pass before the score was shared, and by then, no one cared.

Today, it’s a completely different reality. Game scores, stats, and standout plays are broadcast live—often in real time—through social media, messaging apps, and group chats. There’s no longer any buffer. Everyone knows everything, instantly.

And with that constant stream of updates comes another challenge: curated highlight reels showcasing only success. Social media platforms are saturated with filtered snapshots of achievement—who won, who got drafted, who scored, who committed to a new team. The portrayal is polished, consistent, and often unrealistic.

The result? Relentless pressure to compare.

What gets lost in the feed is the truth: social media is not reality. It’s a selective, curated version of life. The hard days, the setbacks, the struggles—those are rarely shown. The quiet hours of hard work, the discipline behind the scenes, the failures that fuel growth—those rarely make it into a post.

But that’s where the real story lives. In the sweat, not the shine.

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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

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]