You only have one competitor you need to pass in life.
Life is funny. If you let it, it will dictate who you are, who you become and where you will go. It will determine what you think and what you say. It will mold you into a you that you didn't plan on becoming, but it will be what you become.
I have a lot of incredibly talented people in my life. Two of those people are my wife and my oldest son. I only pick them because of conversations we've recently had that started my mental computer to thinking. Both, Buffy and Jon, have amazing talents.
Buffy is an extraordinary musician in that she not only plays her piano like a world-class 
concert pianist, but she sings like an angel and she has even picked up the guitar and plays it well too. She has edited everything I've ever had professionally published, and yet, she is ten times the writer I could ever hope to be. She is the grammar Ninja at our house. Thank God someone is. She has vision and insight. She has worked with me nearly all of my adult life, and yet, she still finds time to run her own successful business that gets accolades both far and near. She is an amazing grandmother to the love of our lives, Amelia, and beyond that, she is simply a loving and caring person.
Jon, is very much like his mother. He is an incredible talent. He is the best electrician who has every worked with me. I never worry about him on a project because I know it will be as good or better than anything I could have anticipated. He is also a talented musician, though he has left that on 
the sidelines while he finds his way in other fields. He is a fitness coach who has reached far beyond his years of experience to help people find their way to the best body, performance and health they could imagine. I had a client of his stop me today to tell me what an impact Jon has had on his life. I wasn't a bit surprised to hear it.
I tell you this about these two extraordinary people for a reason. Both of them, though they are amazing in so many areas, feel they don't always measure up. They both want to be the best they can be, and unfortunately, they both don't think others see them as the incredible people I see. That brings me to my point, you only need to beat one competitor in life.
If you are a Realtor and you want to be a top producer, what does that equate to? If you sold 10 houses last year, maybe the next level means 15 this year. If your clients had the home-buying experience of their lives, that makes you a superstar. It's not the volume or the dollar amount that makes you a stand-out, it's the impact you leave in your wake.
Ten sales with 10 "over the moon" happy customers is far more satisfying than 30 sales with 10 relatively happy customers. Relatively happy customers rarely send referrals to an agent who got the sale done but left them less than enthusiastic, and the other 20 won't even mention you to a friend, family member or colleague who needs to sell or buy. When you leave a mark on people's lives, you become successful.
Today, I closed a deal that was spawned because of one of those over the moon clients. They sent me an email to see if it was OK for them to refer me to their friends. Of course it was, but it was sweet of them to ask. This family, was just as awesome, and I have a feeling I'll see a referral from them at some point. When you care about people, meet their needs and cause them to succeed, they remember you.
I recently told my son that it's OK to know you're good at what you do. I told him that I know I'm a good electrician. Does that sound bold? I am good. That is not something I quibble about in my head. If you can't say it, why would you expect anyone else to say it? Why would you expect anyone to recommend you? Can I learn more? Absolutely, and I do continually.
I also know that I'm a good real estate agent. I'm grateful that publishers think I'm a good writer, and as long as Buffy is close by, I'll edit my way to writing success. The reality is, it's OK to know you're good at what you do. It doesn't matter if anyone else in the world thinks you're good as long as you know you are. Be comfortable with your skills, but always be willing to get better. If you need to become better at what you do (and who doesn't), there are always opportunities to learn more, experience more and become better. Take them, but take them to become the best you you can become and to strengthen your self-worth in your own eyes.
The only real competitor you have in life is you. If you're better than you were three months ago, yea! If you've gone farther than you did five years ago, awesome! If you accomplished a goal or two recently, that's fantastic!! Compete with you, and become the person you're wired to be, not the person you want people to think you are. Ironically, when you're confident in yourself, others will love you and be drawn to you.
One of the great things about being confident in the person you are, is that you can recognize the value and talent in others without being intimidated by their success. I have friends who are much more successful as Realtors, but I'm confident in my skills. I can look at them and say, "Wow, they are top producers who do incredible things, and I am envious while at the same time I'm thrilled at their success." I applaud them, and then I make the determination to become better.
And from my favorite philosopher, Dr Suess:
Post note: Buffy didn't edit this blog. I found multiple mistakes. 8-)
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