Hey, friends! We know how easy it is to get caught up in a competitive mindset, I know that I’ve experienced this firsthand! Listen to today’s episode for some tips on how to keep a community over competition mindset & why it’s so important!

As a bit of a back story, I’ve only worked for small businesses in my career.  Small business is probably my greatest passion in life and I love being able to support people’s dreams.  There’s something really special about shopping at a store where you know the owner and know how much hard work and dedication goes into their business. I think when you remember this going into your own business, you start to have more grace for those around you, including your competitors.

Think about the hard work that you put into your business. Every day, you work your booty off to get the job done.  You put in blood, sweat, tears. You know how it goes!  The thing is,  your competitors likely did this too! I think it’s important to remember that every small business owner has had to work really, really hard to get to where they are.  When you start to feel competitive and compare yourself to businesses who are similar to yours, remember that you all have a place and a person to serve in your community.  There truly is room for everyone! 

What it means to have a community over competition mindset

Having a community over competition mindset means putting relationships before opportunity. It’s an understanding that the best businesses serve others.  Something that I really love about working for Render is seeing our team support other rental businesses.  Obviously, we have Rental Biz Academy and this podcast for educational tools, but we also celebrate the other rental businesses in our community.  Loot Rentals actually just opened up a location in Fort Worth and our team went to their amazing launch party! It’s really special to support one another.  My first tip is to celebrate the businesses in your community that are similar to yours.  Creating relationships with people who have a similar business could be an amazing connection to have.   Imagine becoming friends with someone who knows EXACTLY what you’re going through on a day-to-day basis.  Imagine being able to recommend one another if you have a client who fits their niche.  When you each have each other’s best interest in mind, there’s absolutely no harm in celebrating and supporting your competition!  Competition is healthy when it’s not at the expense of others. In fact, it was meant to push people forward–in both winning and losing. Competition is a healthy part of life, but life is not a competition. Life is about relationships.  Life is about connecting with the people around you and adding value to each other’s lives! 

On that note, something else to consider is choosing the right community, even in your personal life.  It’s so so important to have a community that builds you up and brings out the best in you! Below are a few questions that I found on Caring Magazine, and thought they would be great questions to reflect on.

Who’s your community? Who’s your collective? The ones that know your calling and push your momentum?

When you open up about that big goal, the one that requires you to ask for help, does your collective respond immediately with, “I’m on it. I’ve got you?”

Or When you open up about that big fear, the one that shakes you to your core, does your community surround you with whispers of “You are not alone. We are here for you?”

I hope a few people come to mind when you think of your community! Find people who push your momentum.  If your community makes you feel less than, then it may be time to re-evaluate who you are surrounding yourself with. 

I’ve personally been in situations in my life where competition became more important than community.  This brought on so many negative emotions, and overall made me feel extremely unhappy.   When you have a competitive mindset in life or at work, it can really take a toll on your mental health.  I remember feeling like I could never win, or be good enough, because I was so focused on being better than my competition.  This mindset will never get you anywhere.  This leads me to my second tip, which is staying focused on yourself and your business! When you aren’t worried about who is “doing better,” I guarantee that you and your business will thrive.  When we’re happy and feeling positive, we become the best versions of ourselves! We are more creative, we have more fun, we work hard — the list really goes on.  You do you! Don’t put too much focus on things that don’t matter!

My third tip is more of a tactical one, but one that can hopefully shift your mindset when it comes to competition! Start referring to your competitors as your colleagues.  This small step can adjust your thinking and help you see your competitors in a different light.  Referring to your competitors as your colleagues might help you start learning from them rather than feeling jealous or envious.  

Lastly,  just be kind! I think we take for granted how far spreading light and positivity can take us.  When you are being kind with your competitors and speaking about them in a positive way, this is going to show through to your customers as friendly, professional, and confident! People who waste their energy degrading other businesses probably don’t get looked at in the most professional manner. 

The biggest takeaway from today is to spread as much light and positivity as you can.  I really believe that if we support one another, and sincerely want the best for each other (including our competition) we will live such better lives! You really never know what someone is going through, and spreading a little kindness might make their whole day! 

Before I go, I want to give you a challenge to complete this week! If you’re a business owner, find someone who you would consider “competition” and reach out to them. Send them some words of encouragement, even if it’s just a DM! Something like, “Hey! I really hope you are doing well.  I hope business is going well. Please let me know if you ever need anything at all.” or maybe go the extra mile and send them a little gift or hand-written note.  

I hope you guys enjoyed this episode today!  If you haven’t yet, please rate and review us on the Apple Podcast app.  I am the one who edits these podcasts every week and I see each and every review that we receive! It means the absolute world to us because it shows that we are actually making an impact on the lives of some of you, so we would really appreciate it.

Joyfully,

Brooke Hicks