Turning Competitiveness into Empowerment

Examples are found in all sports and industries across the globe. We have been raised in a society where being “the Best” is the biggest reward. We are raised to believe that acceptance and validation comes from the praise of continuously being great at what we put ourselves too.

The pressure to unremittingly outperform those around us have become our societal norm and the basis of many of our achievements. What if I told you that there is an alternative… That you can excel along with your peers. That there is enough sunlight for us all.

In order for me to give you a brighter picture on this, I’ll have to transport you all the way to Japan. Here we learn of Dr. Masaru Emoto. A researcher and healer that became famous for his study into positive thinking that proved how it can alter physical reality. He is known mostly for his water molecule experiments where he labeled bottles of water with words. Some bottles had positive words and others had negative words. Once the water was frozen, the crystals in the water with the positive words, displayed intricate structures with diamond-like reflections. Whereas the water that had the negative words on displayed crystals that were collapsed and dull with the edges even turning yellow. He also wrote the book “The Hidden Messages in Water” that later became a New York Times Bestseller.

These experiments showed how the simple act of kind words and thoughts have enough power to actually alter the molecular structure of water. Similarly our negative words also carry significant weight. It’s no secret that our thoughts affect our day to day life just like our positive words do. We, too can alter physical reality in our daily lives if we start living with intention. With the simple intention of making a positive difference in our own lives as well as the lives of those around us. Think about this way, If you start acting with positive intentions and actions in your own life, how do you think that might ripple into the lives of those you influence? It has often been said that we as humans act and react in accordance with the 5 people we spent the most time with. If those 5 people are comprised of a group of people that value empowering others and acting in kindness, how do you think that might affect the way in which you do things?

Imagine what would happen if we made a conscious effort in reacting and approaching others with a mindset of “empowering” them. Reverse the role and think how it would impact you if you were empowered to see things in a positive perspective, to react with understanding and to collaborate rather than compete with them. Another example that can be found in nature is a simple field of blooming flowers. None of them compete for the sunlight or water to thrive, they thrive all together to create a picture that we perceive as unity and beauty. This picture isn’t only reserved for nature. We all have the capability to empower those around us.

Independent Studies have shown that we unconsciously imitate each other. The act of unconscious human mimicry is defined as the imitation of gestures, behaviors and mannerisms of those around us. The fact that this happens unconsciously proves to us that there is an integral part of us that wants to be accepted and “fit in”. If we take this information and merge it with the basis of changing our social-circles from a competitive environment into one that empowers, the impact can be so much more positive and inclusive. Changing our narrative from “needing to compete” to “we can all win, together” is paramount in a society that benefits from teaming us up against each other.

None of this happens overnight. And it doesn’t start with them… it starts with us, with YOU. You hold the power of mind to take action on becoming a more empowering part of the lives of those around you. If you want to see more inclusivity in the work place, then start a support group. If you want your social media to be a place of empowerment, then unfollow the accounts that make you feel like you need to compete or compare and follow accounts that inspire you to empower. If you want your children to grow up in a world where they are supported then start empowering them to be supportive of others. If you want to become a person that can empower others, start by empowering yourself. Start showing up for yourself in ways that you would appreciate others to show up for you and watch how that will, unconsciously influence those around you to start doing the same.