Skip to content

Discover the Nature of Your Competitive Streak to Ensure It Doesn't Undermine You (Nor Your Steed)

Understanding Competition's Role in Cycling: For many cyclists, competition serves as a significant factor in their passion. Often, this competitive spirit guides our actions without much contemplation. However, science reveals that our competitive inclination is not purely intuitive. Examining...

Unravel Your Motivation to Compete Effectively, Preventing It from Becoming a Drawback (For Both...
Unravel Your Motivation to Compete Effectively, Preventing It from Becoming a Drawback (For Both You and Your Steed)

Discover the Nature of Your Competitive Streak to Ensure It Doesn't Undermine You (Nor Your Steed)

In the latest episode of "Equestrian Voices," Dr. Stephen Garcia, a professor in the Graduate School of Management at UC Davis and an expert on the psychology of competition, judgment, and decision-making, delved into the competitive drive that often guides behaviour in equestrian sports.

The competitive drive, as Dr. Garcia explained, is a significant reason for many people to ride. However, it's essential to understand that this drive can potentially bring both positive and negative consequences. Learning about the competitive drive can aid in avoiding its potential negative effects and shaping it towards positive, growth-minded outcomes.

The discussion between Dr. Garcia and Caroline Culbertson, the host of "Equestrian Voices," focused on why some riders feel competitive with certain individuals, but not with others. Looking at those who outperform you with admiration sometimes, and other times with envy, can have different potential outcomes.

Dr. Garcia highlighted that the competitive drive is not a mystery, as science has shown. He also pointed out that some high performing athletes can be arrogant, emphasising the importance of understanding the competitive drive to shape it towards beneficial outcomes.

Growth Mindset, a positive mindset that embraces learning and improvement, can be a positive force when paired with a competitive drive. However, the episode did not delve into the specific details on the potential outcomes of admiration or envy.

When involving another party, such as a horse, to reach your own goals, it's important to consider your own competitiveness. The competitive drive is a powerful force behind motivation, and understanding it can help in navigating its potential consequences.

However, the episode did not cover navigating the potential consequences of the competitive drive, such as the negative impacts mentioned earlier. Nevertheless, the discussion provided valuable insights into the psychology of competition in equestrian sports, offering riders a better understanding of their competitive drive and its impact on their performances.

Dr. Garcia made it clear that he did not discuss any advertisers in the episode, ensuring a focus on the academic and practical aspects of the competitive drive in equestrian sports. The episode serves as a valuable resource for riders seeking to understand and manage their competitive drive for improved performances and personal growth.

Read also:

Latest