(I020) The Real Competition Was Never Them—It Was You

We all have that voice in our head. You know the one.

The one that whispers, “Who do you think you are?” The one that convinces you to hold back, stay small, hesitate just a little longer. It doesn’t yell—it’s quieter than that. But it’s always there, lurking in the background, waiting for the perfect moment to plant doubt.

And here’s the truth: Nobody thinks about you more than you do.

That voice? It’s relentless. Analyzing, replaying, second-guessing. And yet, we rarely stop to ask: Is this voice guiding me—or just keeping me in place?

If you’ve spent your career proving yourself, solving problems, and holding everything together, that voice isn’t just an occasional whisper—it’s a constant hum in the background. It reminds you to be responsible. To anticipate challenges. To brace yourself.

But what if that voice—your internal competition—is actually the thing keeping you from expanding?

Your Greatest Competitor Is the Version of You That Won’t Let Go

In Japan, there’s a concept of Oni—demons, not always external, but internal. Some Oni protect, some deceive, and some haunt. The voice in your head? That’s your Oni. Not an enemy, but a force that must be understood, tamed, and sometimes even befriended.

Because at the end of the day, you always have a choice.

You can listen to the voice that says, “You’re not ready,” or you can decide, “Maybe I am.”

You can let fear dictate the next move, or you can lead anyway.

And this is where the real shift happens—when you realize the problem was never about external leadership structures, outdated systems, or other people not recognizing your worth.

The real problem is the internal battle between who you’ve been and who you’re becoming.

Emotions Are Not the Enemy—They’re Indicators

Most of us are taught to push past emotions, to lead from logic alone. But emotions are not obstacles. They are indicators.

• Fear doesn’t mean stop—it means something matters.

• Doubt doesn’t mean you’re wrong—it means you’re stepping into the unknown.

• Frustration doesn’t mean failure—it means something inside you is ready for more.

But here’s the catch: Most leaders don’t trust their own signals. They’ve spent so much time managing other people’s expectations that they’ve stopped listening to their own internal guidance.

This is why so many leaders feel stuck.

Not because they lack skills. Not because they aren’t capable. But because they haven’t given themselves permission to shift.

What Nature Teaches Us About Leadership

A tree doesn’t waste energy fighting the wind—it bends, it adapts. Its roots don’t battle the soil—they grow deeper into it, finding strength in what holds it back.

What if leadership, growth, and even self-doubt worked the same way?

Your doubts aren’t walls. They are doorways. Your frustrations aren’t roadblocks. They are signs that it’s time to expand beyond where you are.

And yet, this is where most leaders hesitate.

They don’t fear the external challenge. They fear what it means to truly let go of an outdated version of themselves—the version that hustled for worth, that believed leadership was about endurance, that thought success had to feel hard.

But what if leadership wasn’t about holding it all together—but about growing in a way that feels aligned?

The Day You Decide to Lead Yourself First

My son recently watched Lightyear, and there’s a scene where Buzz argues with his autopilot, IVAN. IVAN, ever cautious, tries to override him, and Buzz finally snaps:

“NOT TODAY, IVAN.”

Honestly? One of the best leadership lessons out there.

Because here’s the real challenge: It was never about the competition. It was never about proving yourself to anyone else.

The real challenge is leading yourself first.

The moment you stop resisting your own mind—and start understanding it—is the moment everything changes.

Like a tree that still grows, even in rocky soil.

And so… the real breakthrough isn’t out there—it’s in here.

🌱 Your next level of leadership isn’t about proving more. It’s about trusting more.

Not today, IVAN.

Are you ready?

What are you doing today to nurture the roots that will sustain you tomorrow?

If you’re ready to align your leadership with your values and unlock your next level of growth, let’s connect.

👉 Book a free discovery call here 👈

Despite all odds, grow deeper. Lead stronger. 🌱