Nora Ziebarth

I Think I Can Do Better

Competition, rivalry between two or more persons or groups for another desired in common, usually resulting in a victor and a loser. As an avid basketball and volleyball player since my wee years, I know true competition. Although sports are what most people think of when they think of “competition”, the truth is that competition surrounds our everyday life. It drives our entire society. Not everyone in the world sees the reasoning behind competition, but look around at the room you are sitting in and what you are doing. If you are watching TV, remember that the actors in the show you are obsessed with have been competing for their roles each time they step in front of the camera. If you are using your computer or cell phone, think about the new innovations that are introduced everyday within the technological companies. If you are studying for an exam, think about all the other students in your class studying for the best grade and entrance into new jobs and professional schools. Without competition, we would never have new innovations. We would never be challenged or feel the joy of success.

Being raised in Cleveland, sports surrounded my life on the daily. My father has been a Cleveland Browns season ticket holder for longer than I can remember. I would sit outside for hours in the freezing cold air of December to watch the worst team in the NFL. Every Sunday consisted of chili and wings in front of the TV at one o’clock, right after arriving home from church. Along with the Browns, the Indians and Cavaliers gave us something to watch every season. Cleveland sports fans are truly the most devoted fans that you will find in this country. These people know the joy of victory and the sorrow of defeat, although we are all way more familiar with the losing side and sorrow. But when that moment came and Kyrie and Lebron brought the Cleveland Cavaliers the NBA Championship, tears of joy filled the streets of Cleveland. This kind of competition between two amazing teams, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors, is healthy for society. It brings about pride in one’s hometown. It shows true dedication and love for where you were born and raised.

When it comes to other aspects of society, competition fills the air. As an Ohio State student, I see competition every time I look around. To get into this outstanding university, your application needs to be excellent and your grades need to stand above the rest. Every student here is extremely smart and has big dreams for their futures. With each exam that rolls around, the libraries fill up with students cramming their noses into books. Each person wants to be better and receive better grades than the one sitting next to them. In the back of each of their minds is the application for their first job or to the professional school of their dream. To be awarded one of the few spots at each school or company, they need to present themselves in the best light. We are all competing to be the best.

Looking at my parents, I see competition in their lives as well. Both of them went to Valparaiso University to be engineers. That difficult field makes getting a good job extremely competitive. The two of them were lucky enough to receive nice jobs and make a good living, but climbing the ladders of their respective companies was extremely difficult. Many engineering fields are built on innovation and new ideas. Coming up with the top invention or idea is what each employee strives for. This is another perfect example of competition.

Do you think that the computer would have been invented if no one was around to push one another to new heights? Innovation is truly what drives today’s world and no innovation would exist without competition between the respective parties. Our world is filled with amazing technologies, breathtaking works of literature, and outstanding medical practices. All of this was possible because of the first person to say… I think I can do better.