Shari...a well written post in which i agree with almost all you have said BUT, with your permission:
\\\\so it makes me more likely to achieve my goals. It's nice to be nice. \\\\
Many people in competitive aspects of life regard "nice" as a possible weakness and if one is to succeed then one has to inject a soupcon, a discreet amount of "cutting edge" at the right place at the right time.
Try not to be regards as ..."too nice."