“You will never get ahead of anyone as long as you try to get even with them” ~Lou Holtz
When you try to get even with someone then obviously you are focusing on them. You are focusing on what they do and what they are going to be doing.
You become limited by your own observations as you become restricted in creating your vision of your life.
However, when you focus on others as a way to emulate then you use them as inspiration. Then you are going to incorporate them in your vision as an additional source to rely upon. You are still free to create your own vision of your life without restriction.
Trying to get even with someone is giving in to your emotional urge. That gets you out of your own game. Many top competitive athletes use this strategy to goad their opponents into making mistakes. They trash talk their opponents into doing something based on their rage. Hence leading them astray for their original strategy.
Next time when you have an urge to get even with someone think about this and try to get ahead of them instead of trying to just get even.