competitiveness

I don't know if it's just me, but it feels like the world around me now is hihgly competitive. For some reason, people want to prove that they are better than others, in terms of skills, knowledge or other unsubstantial issues. To constantly feel compared or stupid is not nice at all.... and I really don't like myself for always wanna stay above the tide. The competitiveness inside me doesn't allow me to fail... but really, what does being no. 1 mean?