Competition

Feature

• Getting the Girl -- Without Losing Your Friends

  Of course you love your buddies, but when you're all out together, they're also the competition. We tell you how to get the girl -- without losing the guys.

• Ramp up Your Summer Pickup Game Performance

  You never know when you might get drafted to play basketball, flag football or even toss a flying disc. Here's how you can be better in each.

• Getting Ahead in Hard Times

  The workplace hasn’t exactly been business as usual lately -- and neither should your career-development plan. Here are four ways to succeed in business today.

• Olympic Hopefuls: A Roundtable Discussion (Part 1)

  Ever wonder what it takes to be an Olympic athlete? In Part 1 of our series on Olympic hopefuls, MLT writer John Hanc gets the lowdown on fitness and nutrition.

• Stoke Your Competitive Fire!

  Lance Armstrong wasn't born a champion. He made himself into one, and so can you.

• Conquer Your Male Frenemies

  Think "frenemies" are a female problem? Think again. Learn to spot -- and stop -- the toxic frenemies in your midst... before they poison your social life.

• How to Make First Pick at the Team Tryout

  Whether you're going out for a school or amateur team, a squad for football or bowling, here's how to make the cut.

• Triumph With Your Own Beach Olympics

  Don’t just lie there in the sun: Set up these summer contests, which will keep you fit and having fun.

• Conquer the Biggest Mud Runs

  Take an obstacle course, add earthly sludge, and you've got the hottest new fitness challenge. Here's the 411 on the biggest mud runs and how to prep for them.

• Find Your Best Softball Field Position

  You're playing league softball but aren't sure which position to go out for? This softball aptitude test will tell you which softball field position is best for you (and your team!).

• 2010 Special Report: The State of Careers

  Stocks have rallied (somewhat) and the recession’s “over.” Yet unemployment still worsens. Here’s this year’s playbook for tackling your career goal -- and coming out on top.

• Rocket to the Top of Your Career

  A star astronaut offers a flight plan for astronomical success in any job.

• Smoke out Your Office Enemies Now!

  Which co-workers can you trust and which are out to shut down your career? Use these methods to test the staff and find out who’s on your side.

• Be Your Alpha Best

  Want to be your team’s alpha male? The leader out in the field? Just remember: The climb to the top all starts in your head.

• All’s Fair in Love and Woo

  Looking to win the affections of a fair lady? You’ll have to slay the competition first. Here, classic combat advice.

ExpertQA

• I excel in a lot of different sports and love to play them all. I don't know if I want to try to go pro. If so, do I have to focus on one, and at what point? I'm a junior in high school.

• I'm a funny guy. (No, really!) How do I get into professional comedy?

• Is there anything I can do to make my mind sharper, faster? My gray matter appears to be working fine, but I want to be even faster on my feet. Any exercises I can do to get the mental edge?

• I'm a fairly smart man, but some of my friends really make me feel not so sharp. Why does this happen and what can I do to stay on my game when I'm around them?