The only real competition in life is yourself. It’s your story.
Mindset and motivation can sometimes slip when you don’t recognise the moments that truly test them.
Back in November, I had an episode where I questioned a lot, mainly whether I was really the person I claimed to be. I felt like I was lacking self-belief. I’ve always been a go-getter, someone who aims for the top, but sometimes life throws you off balance. And life will always provide opportunities, some call them challenges, where you can either run from them or take them head-on.
I’ll admit, what I was facing was hard. I was tasked with challenging people’s attitudes and getting a team to perform at a higher level. But how do you motivate and change people’s mindsets from the outside? That was the challenge. As an overachiever, I struggled with the idea that some people simply wouldn’t push themselves the way I naturally do. It was frustrating.
Then life gave me another test, one I wasn’t expecting. I had eye surgery, something I was told was routine, but it took me out for weeks. I came back playing catch-up, unable to make the impact I wanted. I lost my rhythm. I felt like I wasn’t performing at my best.
What changed?
I stopped focusing externally and turned inward. My colleague told me: “We don’t want a miserable Dwayne. We want the positive Dwayne. That’s who you are.”
That hit me. It made me reflect on my mindset. Everything starts with you. The only real competition in life is yourself. It’s your story.
So I challenged myself to get stronger, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. Strength isn’t just about pushing hard. It’s about being kind, helpful, understanding, open, and honest. It’s about lifting yourself up instead of being negative, resentful, or doubtful.
Today, I competed in DEKA Strong to challenge myself. To prove to myself that I am him, that guy I know I am. A positive force. Strong. Engaging.
Mindset is everything. If you want to change the world around you, start with yourself. That energy will spread. You’ll impact more than you realise.
