Always dream and shoot higher than you know you can do. Don’t bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself. – William Faulkner

I have a love hate thing going on with this quote.  I love the idea of being better than yourself.  In fact I love that idea with a passion. It’s true, you just need to be better than you!  It’s the don’t bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors that is bothering me.  I don’t think you need to worry too much about being better than anybody else, unless your an Olympic athlete or something.  Generally the only person you need need to be better than is the person you are right now.

Competition is normal, and natural, and I guess it’s even necessary.  But when it comes right down to it how and what everybody else is doing doesn’t really matter.  You should be your own benchmark.  When you reach your goal, set the bar higher. Don’t concern yourself too much with those who came before you and don’t worry about those around you.  So don’t get so hung up on how everybody else is doing.  Focus on yourself, and you’ll be that much happier.  Set those goals, and then go out and CRUSH them.  Be better than you, that’s all that matters.