I keep looking to my left. I keep looking to my right. And, I keep turning around. I know they are here, they are somewhere close. I don’t look ahead. I keep saying to myself that they’re not in front of me, that would be too obvious. I’m thinking that they’re trying to stay invisible.
I stop. It’s in the middle of the day. The sun is staring at me. And I’m staring right back at it.
Suddenly, there are people all around me. But I keep staring at a man and his shadow. I know that he is my competition. I can feel it. I don’t know who he is, but I’m thinking that my competition is casting the shadows. That’s how I’ll be able to spot them.
I can hear you asking. Why are you thinking about your competition, and why are they the only ones casting shadows? I don’t know about the shadows, but I know why I’ve been thinking about my competition.
The reason is this; I am testing a new tool for SEO, and I’ve been asked to add my top 3 competition. It should have been easy, but I just couldn’t think of any. So, I went for a walk.
The sun is obviously playing tricks on me, because there’s not a single person anywhere near me.
I haven’t been thinking about competition at all. It’s just been me, and my friends. I’ve been blogging for fun, and for show, but now that I’ve started a business, I need to be switching the focus.
You won’t see any difference, well, maybe just a little. I’ll still be talking about marketing, business, and the occational pizza story. But, should I keep looking over my shoulder for my competition? Is that part of business?
Yes.
When I say competition, I’m not talking about enemies, but a business that inspires me to reach my goals, and a business that inspires me to take things to another level. I need competition. I really do.
Competition is what’s going to help me become who I really need to be in business.
I remember when I used to play basketball. I didn’t enjoy playing against a terrible team. It was a lot more fun to play against the best teams in the league. I wanted to win so badly. I wanted to bring my A game, but I never did play my best against the terrible teams. Why? Because I play better when I’m under pressure, and when my oponent is fantastic.
Now that I’m thinking about competition in business, I feel that I have already climbed to another level. I have started to understand how to think, and how to embrace the fun and what I’ll eventually love about business – that’s right, my competition.
Twitter: bdorman264
That is true, you usually play to the level of your competition; so if you align yourself right it will only elevate your game. There is nobody out there doing anything you can’t do, but sometimes you need the competition to help you get all the pieces in the right place.
Hope all is well. Did you know Gini Dietrich is speaking in Norway next week? I don’t know where, but I saw her mention Norway and a 15 hr plane ride.
Hope all is well and everything is still moving forward sir. Me, you and @theJackB need to play some basketball. They don’t call me Billy Defense for nothing…….:)
(dofollow)
Bill Dorman invites you to read.. I am not a Dick
Twitter: berget
Hey Bill,
I had no idea that Gini Dietrich was going to speak in Norway. I have just found the conference, and wow, what a conference. It’s in one day, and there are people like Gini, Mitch Joel and Chris Brogan speaking. Too bad that I have less than no money
I’m ready to play you and Jack, well, we’ll probably have to wait until next week. I sprained my ancle while running. And I’m still not 100% ready for a basketball game with Billy Defense
Yes I definitely agree that my competition brings me hapiness. Why? because it only means that my niche is still competitive and it boost me to work harder, faster and better.
(dofollow)
Mark invites you to read.. JV NINJA Review-Check Out What Matthew Barnett and Ben Doyle Says
Twitter: berget
Hey Mark,
I didn’t think of that, but yes, it does mean that your niche is competitive and that’s a good thing. I believe that the more competition the better
Twitter: thejackb
I am up for playing ball any time and anywhere. The guys I have been playing with are nice but there aren’t too many players that truly challenge me. That is not a good thing and it is not really indicative of my skill level.
I want to become better and they just sort of play. Oh well, it could always be worse.
(dofollow)
Jack invites you to read.. Five Things
Twitter: berget
Hey Jack,
I’m looking forward to it. It’s been a while since I’ve played, but I’ll do my best to give you some real challenge
very nice post ! solid information..
Twitter: berget
Thanks a lot Amith
Twitter: mark_harai
Love this post Jens… You always draw me in with a good story : )
In the grand scheme of things, you have no competition. There’s only one Jens Peter Berget and no one will be able to compete with that.
Albeit, you must be on top of your game at all times to get to the top and stay there. Only smarts and work ethic can get you there.
You have those two things covered!
Embrace your competition. Complement your competition Refer your competition to clients if you know in your heart it will be a better match for the client.
Freely give yourself to the industry you serve and your competition.
There’s a shortage of people in business who are confident enough in themselves and their business to rise to this level of professionalism.
These folks are the ones who stick out like a sore thumb and have earned the reputation of being the “go-to” guys in social media or any industry for that matter.
To top it off you have the sun’s attention – you have a bright future indeed!
Twitter: berget
Hey Mark,
Wow. Thanks a lot. Your words are always inspiring and they keep me wanting to write more.
What you’re saying about confidence is important. What I do, is to just write and see what happens. It helped a lot for my confidence to just do it, and keep doing it until I felt that I got better at it. It’s still a long way to go, but I just keep working on it, and my confidence is getting better every single day
Thanks a lot for all your support Mark. Awesome.
Twitter: hajraks
The competition does bring out the best in you. That remains a fact; we all like to do our best and if there is someone better; then it just pushed us further, give it our utmost best! Reach limits we didn’t know exist!
Why do you think they have better looking and fitter people working out at the gym right when I work out!
(dofollow)
Hajra invites you to read.. Better with the lights switched off!
Twitter: berget
Hey Hajra,
That’s a great example. Why didn’t I think of that?
We just need to embrace our competition, and understand that they’re the reason why we are getting better. We should thank them.
My competition motivates me to continue and strive for my dreams. It’s true, it is the reason
why I give my best in every work I have done.
great post Jens!
Twitter: berget
Hey Becca,
That’s awesome. Thanks a lot Becca
(dofollow)
Jens P. Berget invites you to read.. This Made Me ReThink My Business Investments
Twitter: rzive
Sometimes the very folks who you think represent your competition end up being your partners, your allies…or maybe they end up eating your dust
Ruth Zive invites you to read.. Why Social Media is Not a Content Marketing Strategy!
Twitter: berget
That’s true. And that’s exactly what I’m experiencing right now. I’ve been contacted by so many interesting people who’ve approached me with offers of being sort of partners, and that’s from companies that are more or less my competition… it’s so much more fun when people realize how important competition is
Beautiful layout! Where did you get this design Dude?
Twitter: berget
Hey Nick,
Thanks a lot for the feedback.
The design is from StudioPress
Jens P. Berget invites you to read.. What You Should Learn Your Neighbor at 6 AM
Twitter: sajmit
I love competition and eventually it brings me extreme happiness. I really agree with your point of view. Actually competition is a must necessary for better quality assurance in every sector whichever it is. Jens I’ve really enjoyed reading you post. Thanks a lot for sharing it.
Sajal invites you to read.. BLOGS, WEBSITE CONTENT AND MORE
Twitter: lisapatb
I love the twist on this one about competition – finding them inspiring so you can do better. I had not thought about it in that way recently. But when you bring it into sports – it sure makes sense. I was a softball player and if you could beat a great team that was better than beating a terrible team. Great post!
Lisa invites you to read.. What’s With All The Spam?
Twitter: Blognetworking
Hey Jens,
Love how you relate a basket ball game to your business. You are right. We need great competitors, for those are the guys who inspire and motivate us to do more, so that we can “beat” them (we will also learn a lot from them).
By the way, Jens, l am interested in guest posting in your blog; I will contact you once I am ready with my article
Thanks anyways,
Jeevan Jacob John
(dofollow)
Jeevanjacobjohn invites you to read.. Subscription Enticement, What’s Yours? [Podcast]
There is such thing as “good jealousy”, not enviousness….you’re jealous because you want to be like your successful competitors. You don’t think bad about them but in a sense, you want to be like them.
Twitter: berget
I haven’t thought of it as jealousy, more like a competing team in basketball. And many times I’m better, but I want to improve to stay ahead.
But, it might be a type of good jealousy
Hey Jens,
Thanks for sharing this wonderful information. Freely give yourself to the industry you serve and your competition. You don’t think bad about them but in a sense, you want to be like them.