Racehorses have blinders put on the sides of their eyes.

It’s so they can’t see what the other horses are doing.

Because if they do, they get flustered, distracted and slow down.

They fall to the level of their competition.

This is a lesson shared by Michael Easter (author of The Comfort Crisis).

And a good one (whether you're for or against racing).

It’s to illustrate the importance of finding intrinsic motivation (e.g. enjoyment, purpose, curiosity).

Without the need for external reward, approval or punishment.

Because it’s been shown time and time again that intrinsically motivated people outperform extrinsically motivated people.

So take the same mindset.

Compete against yourself.

Be a racehorse.