I’ve been in the financial aid world for a few years now. Even when I started my undergrad, I had a knack for figuring out everything it took to go through college debt free. What I learned from studying scholarships and grants can easily be applied to public relation strategies and web based tests, applications, contests, etc,.
Maximizing your probability for success in those tests, applications, contests, etc,. boils down to research done by Stephen Garcia and Avishalom Tor. Quite plainly the study shows that there is more motivation to work hard and complete something when there is fewer people being competed against.
The study aimed to help strategists and teachers maximize their student’s potential. I’m writing now to express my belief that the study is better interpreted as a mindset to acquire when you’re doing anything that is competitive.*
Most of the time when you’re competing your lizard brain is going to speak up and tell you that it’s not worth it because you have too little of a chance and you’re just risking humiliation and you’ll feel let down and it’s just a waste of time. But when you convince yourself that there is little competition, there’s little to lose and efforts don’t go wasted.
Your mind is going to play games, anyway. Might as well make them in your favor.
Stay Positive & Don’t Forget Your Fiercest Competitor Is Yourself
Garth E. Beyer
*My original idea behind this was that it benefits you to always tell yourself that there are a few number of people applying for a job that you want. While writing, I realized how relatable this mindset can be to anything competitive. Apply the mindset to what you see fit.
