Competition

By February 28, 2019Blogposts

“Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.”  Warren Buffett

Competition. Fighting for your proverbial dinner.  It’s you, versus them.  When your back is against the wall, what will you do?  Can you do what it takes to win… to succeed?  Will you dig deep?

You say “yes”, because- of course you say “yes”.  It’s the right answer.  It’s the equivalent to the age-old job interview question, “tell me about your greatest weakness?”  This ridiculous question, to which many reply, “I guess… sometimes I just work so hard.”

When you have your eye set on a goal, you want to achieve it.  But often, there’s competition and someone else who eagerly anticipates their hand being raised, affecting your chances of getting that thing you’ve been longing for.  Your coworker may throw you under the bus to get ahead of you.  It’s not that they have disdain for you, or that they’re malicious, but when it comes down to it, they know that if they had to eat or keep the water running and the power on, you wouldn’t be there to provide them and their family with those things. 

Do you want to plant the tree for their shade?  They’d be appreciative, but if you want to come out on top, and best your competition, you should put yourself first.  Be the advocate for your success.  No one else will be.

It’s funny- you value friendships.  And so you should.  But the person that was complimentary of your haircut, or who did you a solid and didn’t ask for repayment for picking up the cheque at lunch, well- they may be the one to cost you your job someday.  This, without giving it a second though. 

If it’s you versus them, what will you do? 

There’s a job opening and you are pining for it.  Sell yourself.  I mean it.  Really sell yourself.  It’s not being a braggart, or cockiness, it’s confidence and self-belief.  You’ve worked very hard to become what you’ve become, and paid hardships to get to where you are today.  Don’t let anyone take that from you.

Without putting down the competition, raise your profile.  Reach out to the decision makers and explain to them why they should choose you.  And then handle the rest with class, dignity, and self-respect.

If it’s your business, you had better believe in yourself, your product or service and your place in what’s more than likely, a saturated market.  Are you a pretty good coffee shop, or the best coffee shop?  Why are you the best?  Don’t stammer.  Know why.  Set yourself apart from the competition.

If you find yourself on a plank, and it’s between you or someone else, or if that other person tries to get dirty, don’t let them.  Be primal

Fight for what’s rightfully yours and win at all costs.

If you had to go without food, clothing, shelter, power, water… would your competition be there for you?  You can cash a cheque, but you cannot cash a participation ribbon.

By @MarkPavelich CEO The Mark Consulting & Marketing

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