User:Ajradner

Alexander J.C. Radner 1/3/2009 2-3 Boys Swim Fit
 * 1) 2 Essay explaining why I do perform my best in competitive situations

Competition Is My Kind of Game By Alexander J.C. Radner

“Winners form the habit of concentrating on what they want to have happen. Losers concentrate on what they don’t want to have happen. In pressure situations, winners call up past wins. Losers call up past losses. Both are self-fulfilling.”

I’ve competed in many athletic events. For example, I have been a catcher in baseball, I have run track (relays, solo, 100, 200, 400 and shot put, field and triple jump) and I have played tennis for the Berkley Tennis Team. Competition is pressure to win and do one’s best. I perform my very best when I’m in a competitive situation. I perform my best for the team. I perform my best because I am obligated to by the commitment I made. I perform my best for myself. I perform my best for the team because all the team members are working as hard as I am. The team is dependent on every player and on every player putting forth his or her best efforts. Being part of a team means commitment to each other, doing our best performance and winning. Despite the pressure of the competition, I have to do my best for the team. I made a commitment to be on a team or to perform my best individually. Therefore, I must live up to that responsibility, no matter how stressful the competition. To me, a commitment means dedication, going that extra mile and doing what “you have to do.” Whether the commitment involves an athletic event or scholastics, I’m obligated to be reliable and honor my commitment. I perform my best under competitive circumstances because I need to be satisfied and happy with my performances. For example, in this year’s international Jewish competitions held here in Detroit, I ran track and field events. There was the pressure there to win because all the competitors were focused, dedicated and generally excellent athletes. Despite the competition, I thought: I will perform my best to win and, as the opening quote says, I stayed focused on my previous successes, not failures. The pressure was fierce. I did my best and I won 5 gold and 2 bronze medals. I thrive in competitive situations. I like the thrill, the suspense and the win. My performance on a team means putting forth my best effort, no matter how much pressure is on me. I am obligated to the commitment I made, no matter how stressful the competition, because I try to be a reliable person. I perform my best when I am participating in a competition because I have to be accountable to myself and I have to look in the mirror the next day, knowing that I gave it my all. I will always have to do things under pressure – whether it’s in the workplace, in a sporting event or as a family man. It is where I do my best work.