This content was written and Created by Gabe Salinas – The World’s Greatest Window Cleaner

Did you partake in sports during your childhood? If yes, ponder on the intensity of your commitment towards improvement. Did the spirit of competition ignite a burning desire to excel within you?

My personal journey through sports began at a very young age. You see, I was just 4 years old when I started Kindergarten. Born in mid-October, my parents decided it was time for me to step into the world of learning. “Get out, Gabe! You’re going to school!” they said.

Compare that with kids today – starting Kindergarten at 6 years old or graduating high school at 19. This early start meant that I often found myself as the youngest, or one of the youngest, members on my teams. I was not just a year behind in physical development, but also in mental maturity.

In any sport, a key question arises: Did you level up or level down? Did you challenge yourself by competing against superior players, striving to improve each day? Or did you opt for an easier route, playing against those with lesser skills for a temporary advantage over peers your age?

So yes, invariably, I was always playing with kids who were 1-2 years older than me. 

And I had no choice!

Did you level up your kid or Keep them down?

Perhaps you relate to my experience. Or maybe your path was different, and you were among the older, more experienced players on your team.

“Can you guess how I fared?”

In the realm of competitive activities, it’s well-known that playing down doesn’t foster growth or improvement. My advice? Always aim to play up!

It wasn’t until later in life that I realized the profound impact of this approach. By constantly aiming to compete with those better than me, I inadvertently enhanced my skills beyond those of my age group.

Looking back, I now see this as a distinct advantage that has shaped who I am today. It’s a powerful lesson that extends far beyond the sports field, offering a unique perspective on personal growth and development.

And I also believe that it had a massive impact on how I drive my business and the employees that work for my Window Ninjas company! 

Why You Should Challenge Yourself

I never aspired to be run-of-the-mill. The allure of mediocrity never enticed me. I was driven by an insatiable desire to stand apart, to rise above the crowd. But what about you?

“Have you ever yearned to be more than just average?”

You see, I found myself always playing up, not because I wanted to, but because I had no other option. And it was this very circumstance that shaped me into the person I am today.

Do you have a choice today?

Absolutely, you do!

You can choose to compete with those at your level or even below, if you wish. However, I urge you to challenge yourself, to play up, to aim higher.

Why limit yourself by competing with those who don’t push you to grow? How will you ever improve if you don’t stretch beyond your comfort zone?

Here’s what you need to understand:

• Success is not a product of sheer LUCK

• It’s not merely about TALENT

• And it’s certainly not about HOPE AND DREAMS 

“It’s about good old-fashioned TENACITY, bolstered by a healthy dose of COMPETITIVENESS”

These two qualities could propel you to the top, just like they did for me.

They need to be woven into the fabric of your everyday life, shaping your experiences and guiding you towards the life you aspire to live.

If you are committed to bettering yourself, you must challenge yourself against those who are currently superior.

And if you want to deter others from competing against you, then you need to become so competitive that they simply cannot keep up!

The rewards that come with this approach are immense. You’ll find yourself leveling up so significantly that others will hesitate to compete against you!

I’ve always maintained that I’M MY BIGGEST COMPETITOR! I do this because I know that if I can outdo my own inner drive, no one else stands a chance.

So, ask yourself: Are you competing with others or against yourself?

• Are you leveling up, or down?
• Are you living the life YOU want to live?

Or have you settled for an average existence?

Just as you wouldn’t let your 10-year-old compete against his 5-year-old sibling in a football match, reflect on who you’re competing against in your job, business, and even within yourself!

Remember, I am my biggest competitor. And I Never Let HIM Dominate me!

Now, it’s your turn to rise above the ordinary and embrace greatness!

You Got This!

Now go be Great!