Does competition make people try harder?

    

     We are raised in a society that competes for everything, in Sports, in Colleges, in Careers and even in reality TV shows. It begins at a young age trying to win and be the best. Is this notion that it is healthier to compete with yourself only, trying for your own personal best accurate and true? Or is competition among others healthy, does it make us try harder? As a parent that is a hard call. As for myself, I love the notion. I have never been very competitive, so I have always just strived to do my best. I am very self motivated and feel satisfied when I know that I tried my hardest. Is self competition enough to motivate others or do they need more?