Beat Your Own Record
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Beat Your Own Record

a running horse

09 Jan Beat Your Own Record

Posted at 11:55h in Lifestyle by
0 Likes

During after school discussions with one of my sons he told me there was a boy in his class he was aiming and working hard at beating. I immediately reminded him of what my husband had been telling he and his brothers. He had been telling them that they should compete with no other person but themselves. By this he meant that they should aim at and work hard at beating their last result.

We are still early in the New Year and I believe some of us are not done fine-tuning our dreams and goals for 2014. So many times we are tempted to want to compete with someone and want to do more than someone as we plan the year. This is not a good move as we spend so much time and effort in unhealthy competitions with people who do not even know they are in any competition. We want to do more than, have more than, be more than the other person. This often has its root in envy and jealousy; it is not healthy at all.

Like my husband told our boys; I believe it is healthier to strive towards beating your own records. Evaluate your past life, your past results, your past character and attitude, your past physical and mental habits, your past everything… And then work on improving those pasts.

Improve on YOUR walk with God
Improve on YOUR mental attitude
Improve on YOUR relationship with people
Improve on YOUR work/life
Improve on YOUR marriage
Improve on YOUR parenting
Improve on YOUR financial lifestyle
Improve on YOUR health
Improve on YOUR eating habits
Just keep improving on YOUR everything from what it used to be

When we shift our focus from beating others to beating our past results, then we are beginning to compete with the right person, in the right manner. The mind to out do, out have and out achieve another can drive one crazy and lead to paranoia.
Let improvement on your last year become your driving force instead of busying about out doing others. You strive to beat your own record and see how liberating that can be.

Does this make any meaning to you? Are striving to beat your own records?

Copyright© Ugochi Oritsejolomisan 2014

Photo Credit: WallpapersHD

 

Ugochi Oritsejolomisan
teshuva7@gmail.com

Ugochi Oritsejolomisan is a mentor, encourager and influencer. She writes to inspire you to live a full life. Ugochi lives in Canada with her husband Benson and their children; Joshua, Joseph and Josiah.

21 Comments
  • Abel Chiima
    Posted at 04:18h, 28 April

    Wow this post has really build me so much and given me a new look on how to deal with situations.
    Thank you so much may God continue granting you the wisdom to encourage us more and touch many lives like that never had such lessons in life

  • Meredith
    Posted at 06:48h, 12 January

    I love this post. As much as I know we are to run our own race, every now and then I need this reminder…and I like how you put it: Beat your own record. XOXO

    • Ugochi Jolomi
      Posted at 10:21h, 13 January

      Thanks Meredith! I appreciate your coming by, have a super blessed week!
      Love

  • Vernon
    Posted at 11:23h, 11 January

    This is the same thing my mother taught me when I was younger. She also told me to remain humble and try not to be discouraged when trying to improve myself become a challenge. I still have that same attitude today, and your boys will too. Love this post!

    • Ugochi Jolomi
      Posted at 19:25h, 11 January

      Amen! I am encouraged, your testimony has lifted my hopes and faith another level. Thanks a lot for coming by and leaving this encouragement.

  • bettyl-NZ
    Posted at 01:54h, 10 January

    Those are some very wise words!

    • Ugochi Jolomi
      Posted at 22:55h, 10 January

      Thanks Betty for coming by, I appreciate you and your kind words! Have a super blessed 2014!
      Love

  • Dawn @ We Call It Junkin
    Posted at 12:15h, 09 January

    What a wonderful improvement on New Year’s Resolutions, which I don’t really like! This is a great attitude, I think. I set goals this year, instead of resolutions, but I think the idea of “competing” with your old self is fantastic. Blessings to you in the new year – Dawn @ We Call It Junkin.com

    • Ugochi Jolomi
      Posted at 22:46h, 10 January

      Amen! Thanks for coming by Dawn. I did make any resolutions this year too, I set improvement targets instead. Have a super blessed 2014!

  • frances
    Posted at 18:14h, 09 January

    Yes,this makes great sense to me.
    We all are on different roads,there’s no need for the competition,we should only strive to be better than the one we were yesterday.
    Thank you ma for this timely message,I appreciate. God bless you

    • Ugochi Jolomi
      Posted at 22:54h, 10 January

      Amen! We all have different destinies in God. Thanks a lot for coming by, I really do appreciate your visits. Have a super blessed day!
      love

  • Rosey
    Posted at 16:29h, 09 January

    The sermon I heard this morning on the radio was about that too… not trying to beat others’ records, or be like others in your goals, but to do what God annointed you to do. 🙂

    • Ugochi Jolomi
      Posted at 22:52h, 10 January

      I am glad God is speaking the same thing through different people. Thanks for coming by Rosey, I always appreciate your visits. Have a super blessed day! Love

  • Jill F.
    Posted at 15:57h, 09 January

    I totally agree. “Keeping up with the Joneses” is so difficult and can make you feel horrible if you can’t. Competing against yourself is healthy and very productive. I hope you don’t mind if I share this post with my networks. Thank you for joining the Thumping Thursday bloghop.

    • Ugochi Jolomi
      Posted at 22:51h, 10 January

      It is horrible Jill and so not worth it! Go on and share, I would be delighted, just remember to credit Teshuva. Thanks a lot for coming by and for your kind gesture. Do have a super blessed 2014!
      Love

  • Katherines Corner
    Posted at 15:01h, 09 January

    A positive message. Love this. Thank you so much for helping to make the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop so much fun Hugs!

    • Ugochi Jolomi
      Posted at 22:49h, 10 January

      And it was my pleasure again Katie! Have a super blessed day!
      Love

  • ekpo ezechinyere
    Posted at 12:23h, 09 January

    Thanks for this piece…the only person to beat is me…thanks

    • Ugochi Jolomi
      Posted at 22:48h, 10 January

      So it is! It is the only healthy way. Thanks for coming by, do have a super blessed day!

  • LuAnn Braley
    Posted at 12:16h, 09 January

    It’s hard not to compare ourselves with others or compete with them. From the time we are babies, parents brag about how early their children walk and talk. In our early school years, whoever reads first, or sells the most in a fundraiser gets accolades. Later in our educational careers, people with athletic ability get honored and envied.

    But I agree with you. It is far better to compare ourselves to ourselves. Only then will we improve our own situation. I heard it described once as “We should be looking up (to God) and not to the side (looking at and comparing ourselves with others) to find our worth.”

    • Ugochi Jolomi
      Posted at 22:47h, 10 January

      Very true LuAnn, looking up to God instead of comparing ourselves to others.
      Thanks for coming by, do have a super blessed 2014!
      Love