Creativity and the Competition

I'm often asked this question: "How do I deal with the competition?" My answer: "You don't." At least not directly. In business, in any situation where people are doing things similar to what you are doing, you have to be aware of the competition. There are many people who others might describe as my competition, but I don't compete with them. I can't try to be like them, nor do I want to. And they can never be like me.

This is because we are all unique. We have different things to offer. We let outside influences (for example, the alleged competition) get us down instead of using our creative resources to look inside ourselves and see what we have to offer in order to differentiate ourselves. We can all use our own creativity to add value to every situation in which we find ourselves.

When we're competing, we're comparing. But when we're creating, we're using what we have as unique individuals to create something that has never been done before. How can you be effective trying to do something someone else is already doing?

Competing with others is uncreative effort. If you spend your energy constantly improving yourself, you'll exceed beyond the competition.

While we have the gift of life, it seems to me the only tragedy is to allow part of us to die—whether it is our spirit, our creativity or our glorious uniqueness.

—Gilda Radner,
comedienne