Is competition fair? It may seem that all competitors start from the same point and undergo the same process, but are they truly on equal footing? Can you effectively compete with someone you've never seen or may never encounter during the competition? Is the outcome cognizant of the differences in capabilities and skills among participants? Can you clearly visualize the goal? The answer is no.
Your success isn't contingent on how you fare in comparison with others. Rather, it hinges on how you perform and elevate yourself to a higher version. There exists a meta aspect of competition wherein you craft your best self. You're not pitted against others; rather, you're engaged in an ongoing competition with yourself - Meta competition - the internal struggle. You're contending with your own beliefs, biases, fatigue, setbacks, challenges, and, most significantly, your former self.
Having spent over three decades with students vying for the toughest examination in the country - the Indian Civil Services - I've witnessed the trials and triumphs of the nation's finest minds, spanning fields from humanities to technology, medicine to law. Through extensive analysis of thousands of such students, this book emerged as a culmination of insights. While its context primarily revolves around competitive examinations, its relevance extends to all spheres of life. We're not solely competing in exams; we're engaged in a perpetual competition in business, professional relationships, and beyond. We're constantly in competition. Embracing the principle of survival of the fittest, we must focus on self-improvement, as we cannot control others' progress. This realization struck me while at the forefront of competition.
This book delves into various aspects we confront while navigating our personal challenges: the uncertainty of outcomes, reconciling with the past, sustaining motivation, setting priorities, optimizing efficiency, coping with failure, anxiety, and pressure, among others. It offers a succinct exploration of issues encountered daily by all of us. We are in perpetual competition with ourselves - the Meta Competition. Simply being conscious of this diminishes the bitterness of competition and fosters inner peace, while managing anxiety and stress in the process.
The book aims to raise awareness of the meta aspect of competition. It doesn't purport to unveil any secret codes or provide silver bullets for success. Rather, its goal is to make you cognizant of the presence of meta competition in your life. This heightened awareness equips you better to navigate the competitive landscape. The book is likely to resonate with readers on various levels, addressing multiple facets of meta competition. It celebrates your self-worth and serves as a guide to unlocking a better version of yourself, with the journey continuing indefinitely. You are worth more than you are now - are you ready to claim it?