There are two kinds of people in this world: Those who turn nearly everything into a competition and those who find that instinct quietly irritating.Most people recognize themselves quickly in one of those two descriptions.Some people move through the day content to complete what needs to be done. Others instinctively look for a way to measure it. The dishwasher is not just loaded, but it’s loaded efficiently. A casual card game isn’t just played but also analyzed. A weekend project becomes an opportunity to test focus and precision. Even a simple walk can shift into a silent challenge to beat yesterday’s pace.That impulse is not rooted in hostility. It’s rarely about defeating anyone. It’s about engagement.Adding stakes, even imaginary ones, sharpens attention. A task with a measurable outcome demands presence in a way routine often does not.I fall squarely into that first group.Competition, at its healthiest, creates structure. I...