Competition is a wonderful thing.

And, competition has its limitations.

If you (or your ego) approach life as if it's a series of competitive interactions then, sooner or later, your self-confidence will begin to sour. The more your self-confidence sours the more other people will appear to be competitive. The more others appear competitive the more you will react competitively. Your life then becomes a 'vicious circle' of competition. And, under this 'vicious circle' your self-confidence sours to a point where you cannot obtain success or peace of mind.

Looking at it another way...

Self-confidence relies on constructive behaviour and positive energy.

If your competitive actions bolster your positive energy then you are engaged in productive competition.

If your competitive actions reduce your positive energy then you are engaged in destructive competition.

You can monitor your energy level and gauge whether or not your mindset is positive.

So, you can determine whether or not your competitive tendencies are bolstering or reducing your positive energy.

If you find your positive energy is shrinking…be more selective as you choose your battles…ease off competitive thoughts and actions until you restore your positive vigour.

Looking at it one more way...

When you must battle on all fronts at all times you become an ultimate loser.

And, when you place too much emphasis on getting even you become uneven.