By Eric.

3-minute read.

In some form or another, I've included the system given below in many of my talks to large groups of top corporate executives, as well as young academics, musicians, and athletes. And the gist is some form of the question: what if I told you the secret to winning against the competition isn't some complex strategy or secret formula—but instead, it's winning first within yourself.

You probably already believe that. Maybe you even think the topic is cliche' by now. Like yeah I get it, I need to get better. But what often gets lost is the "how." I'm going to share below specifically you do it.

First, the truth is, your greatest competition is the person you were yesterday. It really is that simple. Yes, strategy matters. Yes, planning and practice and surrounding yourself with the right people are crucial. But when it comes down to it, everything is you vs. you first and foremost. Whether business, sports, or even as a parent or spouse, the quest to be better than you were yesterday is the key to the most enjoyable and victorious life possible. So the question is:

What are you doing every single day to get better and beat the version of yourself that existed yesterday?

The key to success begins with mental mindset. Mental growth isn't about being more naturally gifted than the person across from you; it's about challenging your own thoughts and expanding your own limits every day. What you do to feed your mind with fresh ideas, sharpen your critical thinking, and build resilience and focus is everything.

Are you visualizing  every day, and repeatedly writing down what you want to accomplish?

When you consistently work on your mental game, you create a huge edge—because most people don't do the extra work to win. Tiger Woods was a physically strong person which helped his golf game, but anyone who follows golf knows it's a game within oneself first and foremost, and Tiger's biggest strength was his mindset.

Next, take a look at your physical well-being. Are you fueling your body with the right foods? Are you exercising regularly and getting enough sleep, not just to look good but to feel strong and energized? When your body is in top shape, your mind follows. The key is consistency.

Are you doing what others won't—or can't do—day in and day out?

Going above and beyond gives you a competitive advantage that no one can steal from you. Strength isn't just important in football, tennis, or military; it's important for a business person, parent, or nurse too. Being as physically strong and healthy as we can be is the base of who we are in everything else we do.

And then there's your spiritual health. There's an old saying, if you don't have 5 minutes to pray then you'd better pray for an hour. A strong spirit breeds equanimity and perseverance which is a game-changer when the going gets tough.

What are you doing to strengthen your sense of purpose, to connect deeper with yourself and God?

Whether on a court, in a boardroom, or up at 3am with a crying baby or major assignment, your spiritual health is the #1 thing that colors your ability to handle it with excellence. If you primarily compete to be a more connected version of yourself, you'll win in your pursuits.

Here's the magic of it all:

When you stop obsessing over your external competition and start focusing on being better than you were yesterday, you not only improve but you surpass others as a byproduct. When your daily habits are better, your results inevitably will be too. And when you're doing more than others to develop yourself—mentally, physically, and spiritually—you end up running circles around the competition. So ask yourself these 3 questions every day if you want to win:

1)  What did I do today to improve mentally, physically, and spiritually?

Then after that, if you want to compete with someone else—before you ever do it on a field or campaign, ask yourself:

2)  Did I do more than others in my field, mentally, physically, and spiritually to increase my chances of winning?

And of course, no matter who or what the competition is, ask yourself:

3)  Did I work on strategy, game planning, and research—and did I surround myself with the best people to give me input and support?