Peta Todd opens up about trying to overcome her competitive streak

I AM constantly finding things I wish I was good at, talents I wish I possessed and skills I’d love to master.

It’s so easy to look around and see other people’s strengths and instead perceive them as our own weaknesses.

I don’t think I’m the only one to wish I were as strong, as musically gifted or had the stamina to run a marathon like some of my friends . . . or, worse than that, complete strangers.

I was recently sat with my seven-year-old daughter Delilah when her wisdom hit me like a lightning bolt. We were listening to a lady on the television sing. She was simply amazing and I said I wished I was a good singer.

She retorted with all the sweetness of a character from a Beatrix Potter story and insisted: “You are good at singing, Mummy.”

I looked her dead in the eye and we both burst out laughing.

Then – with complete seriousness and warmth in her little voice that shouldn’t have been comforting but was – she said: “Mum, I’m good at skipping but my friend Evie isn’t.

“But that’s OK because Evie is really good at other stuff.

“You don’t need to be the best at everything. We are all different.”

This is the sort of thing I would say to her, a lesson I would hope to teach but apparently not one I live by myself.

We have a competitive gene in our family and I constantly work on Delilah, in particular, to remember she will not be the best at everything she tries.

You have to find your groove and when you do, you have to work hard to hone it.

No matter what it may look like or how it may seem, greatness rarely comes without blood sweat and tears.

I tried not to get caught up in the fact that I’m rubbish at skipping too.

Only messing . . . I’m basically Rocky Balboa with a rope in my hands.

But she was completely right. I don’t need to be good at the same stuff as everyone else.

I have my own strengths and as lovely as it would be to have the voice of a nightingale and the backhand of Serena Williams, it doesn’t make ME any less because it’s what makes THEM great.

It’s like human Top Trumps. We all have our own different times and ways to shine.

Usain Bolt didn’t win gold in the long jump – but that doesn’t take away from how incredible he is at the 100 metres.

So this week, my seven-year-old set me straight.

In so doing, she confirmed to me that she is kind, confident and a good friend to boot.

So although I may not have the voice of an angel, I must be getting something right as a parent.

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