My story is about something I have been experiencing for last 9 years or so and did not realize it until a recent conversation I had with a role model of mine. 

Peer pressure refers to the influence exerted by a peer group in encouraging a person to change his or her attitudes, values, or behavior in order to conform to group norms.   Most of the time when you think of peer pressure you make think of a negative experience however peer pressure can be very positive.  

All my life I have been a competitor no matter what the task sports, education, money, work etc. with that being said I have found my self challenging people in my profession on a respectful and professional level.  Recently I have been going head to head with collogue who is a good friend of mine however, he gets recognized on a national level for his work and it is an honor to work with him, however I do not receive the same recognition for my work, to me that sounds like a challenge! 

Since realizing this I find my self making attempts to be BETTER than him, which in turn creates a unique dynamic of a positive driving force relationship between the two of us because now he does not want to fall off his game to me and I am pushing him to be BETTER which makes me BETTER.  This competition is not known publicly it only exist between me and the person involved and at times the person may not be aware which I have experienced as well.  Seeing as I have been pushing the envelope and attempting to be BETTER I have been recognized on the University level with a recent award, divisional presentation, serving on committees, professional development and currently pursuing the opportunity to present on a Regional/National level.

Being competitive can be looked upon as a negative characteristic to some people.  In this case I am able to take a trait/characteristic, which is viewed, as negative and channel it to be positive I think this is possible with just about any negative trait: argumentative/layer, like to gossip/talk show host, humor/comedian you get the idea… 

My parents never picked out my friends for me and that taught me a great lesson, which I had to learn myself and that was not everyone who enters your life is meant to be in your life…I had to learn this the hard way. I cannot benefit from you being my friend there is no need for the relationship to exist.

In closing if you want to make a difference hang with those who make a difference, you want to make big money hang with people who make big money…its quite simple think about it this way when you want to have a good time, you hang with people who know how to have a good time.  The same goes for what you want in life…who is in your company?

Thanks 



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