# Self-Competition **Domain:** Performance / Motivation **Doc Type:** Concept Node **Maturity:** Developed ## Definition **Self-Competition** is the practice of measuring present work against one's developing capacity and prior standard rather than organizing achievement around defeating other people. ## Mechanism and Practice Internal comparison directs attention toward craft, learning, and quality. Because the opponent is an earlier version of the work, excellence can grow without making cooperation, generosity, or shared success feel like loss. ## Relationships - **Related concepts:** [[wiki/Originality|Originality]] · [[wiki/Discipline|Discipline]] · [[wiki/Leadership|Leadership]] ## Simple Reminders, Quotations, and Thoughts > “Competing with oneself drives quality. Focusing on making something beautiful and new keeps attention on craft. Healthy self-competition leaves room for cooperation with others.” > **— Bryant McGill**, *Money, Self-Worth, and Decentralized Opportunity, Part 2 - Livestream (Nov 2016)* [[reminders/Originality/Healthy Self-Competition Leaves Room for Cooperation by Bryant McGill|Healthy Self-Competition Leaves Room for Cooperation by Bryant McGill]]