Lesson #17: Life Isn't Always About Competition

Don't get me wrong, I don't think that there's anything wrong with a little healthy competition. Actually, I think that a little competition can really motivate a person to do their best work or be the best that they can. However, there are times when being too competitive can be a bad thing. Winning shouldn't be the main focus in your life; sure, it's nice to win sometimes, but I think that being okay with losing every once in a while can help you grow as a person. It's important not to get too wrapped up in the competition but rather to just enjoy what you're doing.

Monica is by far the most competitive of the friends. In fact, she never misses the chance to turn something in to a competition or to show off her knowledge. She holds herself to a strict standard and does not settle for anything less.

For example, one Thanksgiving, the gang decides to play a friendly game of touch football during halftime. Ross and Monica initially decline the invitation due to the fact that their mother banned them from playing the sport. When questioned about it, Monica reveals that they used to play a game of football every Thanksgiving (which they named the Geller Bowl) and that "one year, Geller Bowl VI, [Monica] accidentally broke Ross's nose." Ross questions the accidental nature of the injury and accuses Monica of cheating to win the game. The two argue over this and eventually challenge each other to a rematch. 

As the game goes on, Monica and Ross continue to get more and more competitive until the rest of their friends go inside to enjoy their Thanksgiving dinner. Ross and Monica stay outside and fight over the football.

Another instance of Monica letting her competitive nature get the best of her is when she wagers her apartment in a bet with Chandler and Joey. The game starts out as a friendly bet when Chandler and Joey bet that they know Rachel and Monica better than the two women know them. They have Ross think up questions to ask them to determine who knows who best. 

When the game comes down to a tie, Ross announces that he's prepared for this and has come up with a lightning round. Monica decides to up the bet from the original $100 they were playing for to her apartment. When Rachel expresses her unwillingness to lose their apartment, Monica guarantees her that they won't. 

However, when it comes down to it, Monica and Rachel ultimately lose when they are unable to answer the question, "what is Chandler Bing's job?"

While Monica's competitive nature is a part of her personality and shapes the person that she is, it often gets her into trouble. I think that she would be better off if she stopped worrying so much about winning and took the time to just enjoy being with her friends. 

Media courtesy of (in order of appearance):

• Cosmopolitan
• NBC via Netflix
• Bustle
• the bump
• Personal gif created via Giphy
• Twitter