Some of you may have recently seen that I, along with a lot of other photographers, fell foul of Googles guidelines when it came to my business profile listing. Unfortunately, another photographer had taken advice from someone which suggested they report anyone breaching the guidelines to Google, in order to have their competitors profiles disabled, which in turn would benefit their SEO ranking. Shifty tactics which if anything, have only caused an inconvenience to me for a week since my profile was reinstated, and hopefully won't have lasting consequences. Time will tell!

Following on from my recent experience and now that I am almost past the frustration and bewilderment at the levels some will stoop to in order to gain, I wanted to address the matter of mindset when it comes to your competition.

A little background for perspective; Before I started my own business in Interior, personal branding and lifestyle photography, I worked in the hardcore, competitive sales environment that was London Estate Agency for over a decade. An industry which is slowly being revolutionised and regulated, but continues to face criticism for underhand tactics and shoddy ethics. My experience of rapidly moving up through the ranks in my early twenties and maintaining leadership positions throughout my career, gave me first hand insight into varying levels of integrity and customer relations - something I pursued to uphold (and still do) as a core value, both personally and within my teams.

What I came to learn was that competition is often perceived as a battleground where only the fittest survive. However, in reality, it serves as a vital catalyst for personal and professional growth and understanding the multifaceted benefits of competition can transform how we approach challenges and collaborations in our lives.

Collaboration Over Competition

Contrary to the popular belief that competition is purely about outdoing others, it often paves the way for meaningful collaboration. When individuals or teams compete, they bring diverse perspectives and skills to the table. This diversity can foster innovative solutions through collaborative efforts. By viewing competition as an opportunity to collaborate, we can leverage each other's strengths to innovate and achieve common goals, enhancing both individual and collective performance. Instead of just admiring others from a distance, seek out opportunites to work together and benefit from each others strengths. It’s often more fun than you think!

Keeping You at Your Best and Avoiding Complacency

One of the most significant benefits of competition is its power to keep us on our toes. The presence of competitors motivates us to push our limits and strive for excellence. This drive prevents complacency and encourages continuous improvement. Whether it's in the workplace, sports, or personal endeavors, knowing that others are vying for the same goal compels us to stay sharp, focused, and dedicated. Without your competition, your standards will inevitably slip!

Being Inspired by Others

Competition exposes us to the achievements and innovations of others, serving as a potent source of inspiration. Seeing what others have accomplished can spark new ideas and motivate us to reach higher. It's not about replicating someone else's success but about being inspired to carve our own path and set ambitious goals.

Learning from Those More Experienced

In competitive environments, there are always those who have more experience or expertise. Instead of viewing these individuals as threats, we can see them as valuable resources for learning. By observing and engaging with more experienced competitors, we gain insights into effective strategies, avoid common pitfalls, and accelerate our own development. Their success stories and failures alike offer lessons that can shape our journey. Likewise, those less experienced often bring a fresh energy and perspective which tired veterans of any industry can benefit from. Their thirst for success together with inevitable naiveties can thrust concepts and industry wide change forward.

Staying True to Yourself

In the midst of competition, it's essential to remember that not every victory is a reflection of personal worth. Sometimes, someone else's skills, strategies, or circumstances may lead to their success over ours. However, staying true to our values and unique qualities ensures that we attract the right opportunities and people. Our authentic selves resonate with those who appreciate our distinct contributions, eventually leading to our own success in a way that aligns with our true identity. As Oscar Wilde once said ‘ Be Yourself, Everyone Else is Already Taken.’

Conclusion

The biggest competition you face should be with yourself. Spending your energy trying to align yourself with your competition instead of improving your own game will never result in satisfactory growth where you are chasing instead of innovating. If you only ever see and treat your competition as your enemy, you might win the battle but you’ll never win the war.

Competition, when approached with the right mindset, can be a powerful force for personal and professional growth. It encourages collaboration, keeps us motivated, inspires innovation, facilitates learning, and reinforces the importance of authenticity. Embracing competition as a positive and dynamic process can lead to profound and lasting benefits, ultimately making us better individuals and contributors to our communities.