"No person enthusiastic of his work has anything to fear from life." ~ Samuel Goldwyn
My father used to say to me his competition was himself. When in seclusion you only have yourself and your imagination. He trained in the mountains, months at a time, he said the only motivation he had was himself and his book. I don't think he ever got bored because he knew what he wanted to achieve.
When IKO Kyokushinkaikan Honbu was built in 1964, my father said something which shocked my mother. When the construction finished and all the lockers, sand bags etc were moved from the ballet studio to Honbu, everyone, including my mother was in a celebratory mood. When she dressed for the occasion and went down to greet the students, my father took one look and told my mother to change her clothes. She was shocked but he said, "Why are you dressed up? We are just beginning to get to work now!". All the students (like Terutomo Yamazaki First All Japan Champion) were stunned. But it made sense- to Sosai, it was not the end, it was just the beginning!
He loved what he did. Everything he did built momentum- to keep going. He continually bettered himself. He continually challenged his potential and I think this really humbled him. Because he was never complacent. He took steps further into where he did not know what will happen. He did not settle for mediocrity.
When everyone said he was insane to publish a book in English, or built a building instead of a dojo, or organize and sponsor a world tournament- he dedicated to each event with every might he had. And this all stemmed from his passion, his karate. No wonder he called it, "Kyoku" "Shin"- the ultimate truth. He lived by his truth and never settled for anything less than his vision.
