30 Competition Quotes To Elevate Excellence
Does the thought of competition make you flinch, or does it fuel your determination? Either way, your perspective on it can significantly impact various aspects of your life. That's where our collection of powerful Competition Quotes comes in—these are nuggets of wisdom that might change how you see competition.
In this article, you'll discover how competition shapes our lives, careers, and businesses, as told through the quotations of legendary athletes to successful business magnates. Ready to embrace competition? Start reading now.
Quick links to our selection of competition quotes:
Eye-Opening Quotes About Competing With Self
Competition isn't always about outdoing others—it can also be about pushing ourselves to improve. An essential aspect of competition is measuring up against our past selves.
For instance, you've streamlined your writing process to complete a 1000-word article in just two hours now, as opposed to the four hours it took. Or maybe you've ramped up your weekly exercise regimen from twice a week to five times.
Overall, our own growth is often more about competing with and improving upon our past efforts rather than simply besting others. Read the following competition quotes below to remind yourself of this message, or check out our determination quotes for more on a similar theme.
"The principle is competing against yourself. It's about self-improvement, about being better than you were the day before."
- Steve Young
"The only competition worthy of a wise man is with himself."
- Washington Alston
"When you compete against everyone else, no one wants to help you. But when you compete against yourself, everyone wants to help you."
- Simon Sinek
"A creative man is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others."
- Ayn Rand
"If you are insecure, guess what? The rest of the world is too. Do not overestimate the competition and underestimate yourself. You are better than you think."
- T. Harv Eker
"The road to success and greatness is always paved with consistent hard work . Outwork your competitors, be authentic, and above all else, chase your greatness."
- Dwayne Johnson
Inspirational Competition Quotes From Athletes
In the world of sports, competition is fiercely intense. For instance, it wasn't luck that led Michael Jordan to win 6 NBA championships or inspired Babe Ruth to hit a staggering 714 home runs.
They dedicated countless hours to their craft, displayed unwavering commitment, and thrived under the pressures of competition. Their performances stand as compelling evidence that in sports, like in life, discipline and dedication remain pivotal in overcoming any challenge in reaching our goals.
Even if you are not an athlete, adopt their mindset as you pick their brains in their competition quotes below. You can also watch this Ted Talk by Martin Hagger to peek at how champions think.
"Competition teaches you the value of hard work and dedication."
- Kobe Bryant
"You have competition every day because you set such high standards for yourself that you have to go out every day and live up to that."
- Michael Jordan
"It's hard to beat a person who never gives up."
- Babe Ruth
"I enjoy competition. I enjoy challenges. If a challenge is in front of me and it appeals to me, I will go ahead and conquer it."
- Conor McGregor
"The time your game is most vulnerable is when you're ahead. Never let up."
- Rod Laver, Adidas
Competition Quotes On Raising Industry Standards
Now, let's transition from sports into the business world. Competition remains just as fierce. Take Bill Gates, for instance, co-founder of Microsoft, one of the foremost tech companies globally. He has often emphasized that competition spurs business growth.
Businesses constantly improve their products, innovate, and evolve, spurred by rivals vying for the same customers. It's not about defeating the opponent but rather about lifting the industry standard and promoting overall growth.
If you are running a business, you can surely relate to the following quotes about competition.
"Whether it's Google or Apple or free software, we've got some fantastic competitors and it keeps us on our toes."
- Bill Gates
"The competition to hire the best will increase in the years ahead. Companies that give extra flexibility to their employees will have the edge in this area."
- Bill Gates
"There are only two sources of competitive advantage: the ability to learn more about our customers faster than the competition and the ability to turn that learning into action faster than the competition."
- Jack Welch
"World trade means competition from anywhere; advancing technology encourages cross-industry competition. Consequently, strategic planning must consider who our future competitors will be, not only who is here today."
- Eric Allison
Other Competition Quotes From Business Leaders And Experts
Building off our previous exploration of competition in business, let's consider other insights from more leaders and experts.
Our first competition quote below is from Henry Ford, an automotive pioneer. He discussed that competition is not just about overtaking others but more about consistent self-improvement and innovation.
As Ford illuminates, the most formidable competitors are those relentlessly focused on refining their company. So unleash your competitive spirit by focusing on your own progress.
"Competition whose motive is merely to compete, to drive some other fellow out, never carries very far. The competitor to be feared is one who never bothers about you at all, but goes on making his own business better all the time."
- Henry Ford
"You've got to keep reinventing. You'll have new competitors. You'll have new customers all around you."
- Ginni Rometty, IBM CEO
"Competition is like experimentation in science, a discovery process, and it must rely on the self interest of producers, it must allow them to use their knowledge for their purposes, because nobody else possesses the information."
- Friedrich August von Hayek
"There is a tendency among some businesses to criticize and belittle their competitors. This is a bad procedure. Praise them. Learn from them. There are times when you can co-operate with them to their advantage and to yours! Speak well of them and they will speak well of you. You can't destroy good ideas. Take advantage of them."
- George Matthew Adams
Profound Competition Quotes To Change Your Outlook
Next, let’s look into some profound perspectives on competition. The second quote is from the Roman poet Ovid. He metaphorically explained how competition, in essence, drives us to accelerate our pace to push beyond our comfort zones.
Like the horse gaining speed when rivals are near, we, too, find an inner drive to excel when others challenge our capabilities. This positive perspective reinforces that competition can push out the best in us in powerful ways.
Reflect on other quotes about competition and form your own meaning.
"A horse never runs so fast as when he has other horses to catch up and outpace ."
- Ovid
"Competition is always a good thing. It forces us to do our best. A monopoly renders people complacent and satisfied with mediocrity."
- Nancy Pearcy
"Life is a kind of Chess, with struggle, competition, good and ill events."
- Benjamin Franklin
"Only a fool learns from his own mistakes. The wise man learns from the mistakes of others ."
- Otto van Bismark
Quotes About Giving Value Over Competing
If you compete in any kind, remember not to lose sight of the real goal – providing value. Whether you're developing products, offering services, or delivering top-notch work in your job, your focus should always be on the value you bring.
As you strive to outpace the competition, remember to take a moment of self-reflection if you are still delivering value. After all, the main goal, be it in business or any career, is to serve others and make a difference.
Let the two competition quotes below remind you of this message.
"Companies that solely focus on competition will die. Those that focus on value creation will thrive."
- Edward de Bono
"The world is so full of people who are grabbing and self-seeking. So the rare individual who unselfishly tries to serve others has an enormous advantage. He has little competition."
- Dale Carnegie
"To make a quick buck, but over time, if you're not creating value for others, customers, society, isn't going to let you be around."
- Charles Koch
More Quotes On The Life Lessons Of Competing
Finally, it is vital to acknowledge the presence of competition in our lives. Never dread it, but rather learn from it. The competition challenges our abilities, propels us towards our goals, and teaches valuable life lessons.
As we end this article, explore the remaining competition quotes. Take more inspiration and valuable lessons about life, success, and the complex dynamics of competition.
"The idea of competition, particularly in a creative atmosphere, is always there; if you don't acknowledge that, you are doing yourself and the process a disservice."
- Jake Gyllenhaal
"If you're not making mistakes, you're not taking risks, and that means you're not going anywhere. The key is to make mistakes faster than the competition, so you have more changes to learn and win."
- John W. Holt, Jr.
"Optimization is generally detrimental to future success, but it is the only way to accomplish present success in competition with others who are equally interested in short-term results."
- Erik Naggum
"I looked at my competitors and I thought that, If they could do it, I could do it. And if, they are popular and doing well, I could compete with them."
- Tommy Hilfiger
Isabela is a determined millennial passionate about continuously seeking out ways to make an impact. With a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering with honors, Isabela’s research expertise and interest in artistic works, coupled with a creative mindset, offers readers a fresh take on different environmental, social, and personal development topics.
