I was 35,000 feet above Denver when I realized I was being an idiot. I'd spent an hour beating myself up for not having something I didn't even want. Most leaders burn out not because they work too hard, but because they're working toward someone else's definition of success. Competition begins with clarity: What game are you actually playing? Here's how to stop competing in arenas you never chose and start winning games that actually matter to you.

What if your biggest sales competitor isn't the company across town stealing your deals? 73% of sales teams discover the hard way: your biggest competition isn't external. It's the invisible enemy that shows up the moment you start winning. The real competitor hiding in plain sight isn't your rival - it's complacency. The subtle voice that whispers "you've arrived" when your numbers look good.

Want to make your competitive mindset a career advantage?  Then stop doing what everyone else does. Former UNC coach Roy Williams once...