Life is all about finding the right pair. Finding yourself in the right spot with the right people. In sports, a competitive and challenging opponent much to your level only makes the match more valuable and the win more satisfying, the loss more dramatic. Regardless if you win or lose, it is undoubtedly a much more rewarding feeling than facing off an opponent that is below your level of skill and gives only half their effort. Not to steal a word from the Fast and the Furious, but the people who you choose to be around lets you know who you are. Practicing with opponents on your level pushes you even further to greater heights. And that's what you need in order to improve. Don't stay constant; urge to rise. 

Same scenario with our friends, boyfriends and girlfriends, acquaintances and coworkers. The more you spend time with them, the more similarities you will start to share. Take the boyfriend/girlfriend as an example. When the couple starts to spend time, say, shopping, they'd start to realize their own trends and habits. Flip flops over Stiletto heels, jeans better than skirts, Lacoste over Armani Exchange. And usually what happens is the girl's fashion starts to change based on her boyfriend's opinions and preferences, and vice versa. The guy might want her to wear more jewelry and accessories while the girl might want her man to wear less t-shirts and more polo. We inspire each other more than we could ever imagine.