Years ago when I first started working in the coffee industry I remember asking the owner of the business “What do you think about Starbucks coming to Australia?”
For many people reading this it may be difficult to imagine the real threat Starbucks was pre-2000. Cafe owners across Sydney were very apprehensive about the arrival of Starbucks – timed to coincide with the Olympics.
I remember the owner saying to me “Competition is healthy: it keeps everyone on their toes” and he meant it. He saw competition as a good thing.
I write about competition in my book in Chapter 2 ‘Your Idea.’
Some people become anxious about competition. Personally I’m noticing more and more competition in my space, in my niche. There are more people offering education and coaching to people starting out in business. Just a couple of years ago I was pretty much the only person in this early startup niche.
When competition swarms around, it’s good to remember it can be good in many ways, as it gets us to raise our game.
The flip side is – it can keep some people playing small … because the entire focus becomes “the competition!” Some days when I look at my competition I need to remind myself it’s exhausting.
Why is it exhausting?
Because when we look at someone else they will always have…
- Cooler videos.
- A larger following.
- Greater exposure.
- Better products.
- More cash to market.
- Better ads.
- Newer campaigns.
- More posts.
- A larger team.
- Lower prices.
More famous friends…. and the list goes on and on!
STOP!! I remind myself constantly, and now I am here to remind you.
Stop comparing yourself to your competition.
Stop doing that!
I sit down and remind myself of 4 critical questions:
Who is my Avatar? What does my avatar want from me? Do I solve a problem? Do I create value?
These are the only questions that matter!
Action for you: Set aside time this week to DO this work in your business. Answer these 4 questions. This will help keep you from spending so much time looking at your competition, and focus more on your own biz.
Another Action for you: Take stock of what you have achieved this week, this month, this past year. You’ll be surprised at just how much you have achieved. And if not, get to work!! Lift your game! Do what has to be done!
If you need some help with this, please give me a call or click reply and drop me an email. I’m here to answer your business questions to help you grow your business healthier!
Have a terrific week and let’s go take care of our great clients and customers…..
There has never been a better time to start a business; to be in business.
PS: Whenever you are ready … here are 4 ways you can work with us to create, start and grow your own business
☑️ Grab a free excerpt of my book This is the first 20 pages and will get you started on what it takes to create, start and grow your own business. Click here to read the first 20 pages.
☑️ Buy a copy of the whole book. “So You Want to Start a Business; the 7 steps to create, start and grow your own business.” Available now from Amazon click here or if you are in Australia click here for Booktopia.
☑️ Join the membership only Training Resources Library. This is an online library of all our exclusive material that isn’t on the website. There are recordings of webinars, templates and other bonus content not available anywhere else on the website. Click here to find out more … and to join.
☑️ Work one to one with me. Every month I keep session times for people like you who need one-on-one time with me. We know there is a tonne of resources on the website, in this newsletter, in the podcasts, in the Membership Library and yet … we also know that there is tremendous value in having dedicated time for just you and your particular business questions, goals and dreams. Click reply and let me know your biggest question today, your greatest challenge right now and we can get started working together.
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