My first taste of competition came when I was about 6 and we got stars on the wall for reading, spelling, art and other achievements. I loved to get stars - and still love to get points for things. I am really glad I had to compete and win. The prize was a visit to the headmistress where she'd congratulate you for getting 10 stars, at the same time watching her West Highland White Terrier - Piper.
At age 10 came my most serious competition to date. I had to compete to get a scholarship to the senior school. I lived in the county - the West Riding of Yorkshire - and they had 5 scholarships to get free places to the Leeds Girls' High School senior school. I would get to school early to do mental arithmetic - we had to do 60 mental arithmetic questions in 20 minutes, whereas the people living in Leeds had to do far fewer (I think 40 in half an hour).
My fiercest competitor used to get the bus home with me and we would go riding together. I was determined to beat her and get a free place. In our freezing kitchen my father would give me extra mental arithmetic tests and IQ tests and I'd do extra homework. It taught me to do mathematics very quickly. There were english tests, IQ tests and mental arithmetic tests. I prepared well.
On the day of the exam I went to Ben Rhydding, near Ilkley, and felt I had 'flu. I felt terrible, but I had to be professional and persist - this was my big chance not just for a free place, but to beat my friend. I remember coming out of the exam leaning against the bus stop, because I was so exhausted and weak and nearly collapsing when the bus came. I was sure I'd not done well.
Imagine my surprise when my rival and I were the only two from our school to get free places from the West Riding to Leeds Girls' High. We had both competed really hard and won.
So next time someone tells you to just do things for your own pleasure and not to worry about the competition, question them. Whether you win or lose, competing will help you achieve high standards. Remember, that even if you feel lousy - good preparation and discipline can help you overcome your feelings. The world is competitive - you'll compete for a mate, a job, a college place and more - so you'd better learn to compete on a global scale from an early age and win.