Being competitive isn't necessarily bad — what matters is where you channel it.
Tips
history
Recorded in Qing novelist 文康's 《儿女英雄传》 chapter 35: '任是争强好胜的，偏逢用违所长' — even the most competitive types end up forced to use their strengths in the wrong places. The phrase has lived in Chinese ever since.
usage
Slightly negative tilt — implies excessive ego, not just healthy ambition. For a positive flavor try 力争上游 (strive upstream) or 不甘落后 (refuse to fall behind).
