“He who wrestles with us strengthens our nerves, and sharpens our skills. Our antagonist is our helper.” (Edmund Burke)

One of the simplest ways to stimulate your mind and your body is to enter into competitive situations. This is why games that pit one person or team against another are so appealing to us. The challenges of competition are enjoyable and beneficial.

However, when beating your opponent becomes the primary goal, when it takes precedence over trying your best and having fun, the enjoyment tends to disappear. Competition is enjoyable and beneficial only when it is a means to self-improvement — either through the betterment of one’s skills in the task at hand or the enhancement of a relationship with one’s opponent and/or teammates.

When competition becomes an end in and of itself, it stops being fun. Redefine winning, and you could just go undefeated for the rest of your life.