Joy of Competition
In 1964, I was 15 years old. That year a movie came out that expanded my consciousness and made me rethink what was possible. That movie was Fistful of Dollars with Clint Eastwood. I ended up seeing Fistful of Dollars 12 times before it left Jacksonville.
In the regular western, it was always one against one. The hero standing in the middle of the street waiting for the bad guy to draw first. Now comes along Clint Eastwood and it’s one man standing in the middle of the street waiting for four bad guys to draw. I loved it. One against many.
I’ve always loved that theme – one against many – and in business, it has served me well. Because, whenever we try to sell anything, we are going up against everyone else selling the same thing. We are one against many.
The difference in the people who succeed is their attitude. They love being the one against the many, they don’t fear it.
I don’t know if you can change the way you feel about competition. Since, I never had to make that transition, I can’t just say to someone, “Change your attitude – be happy about the competition.” But, at the same time if you can welcome the competition, instead of fearing it, you will find your business experience less stressful and eventually more successful.
I really believe that this is a fundamental reason some people succeed while others fail. Same opportunity, same support, same instruction, but some succeed and others fail. I believe that those who succeed find joy in the competition.
There is a line in the Bagavad Gita – the Hindu New Testament. Its Khrisna speaking to Arjuna. I won’t go into the whole story, but Arjuana is facing a large battle and is having doubts – he doesn’t want to fight. Khrisha says to him – and I get goosebumps whenever I read this line – “Happy the warrior to whom comes the joy of battle- comes, as now, Glorious and fair, unsought; opening for him a gateway unto Heaven.”
So, I say to all of you, “Happy the business person to whom comes the joy of competition, comes, as now, Glorious and fair, unsought; opening for him a gateway to happiness and prosperity.”
So, I really don’t know if you can change and start to enjoy the competition. But, I do know that if you can you will succeed. Because you will no longer use every little setback as an excuse to quit. You will grow and thrive on those challenges that being in business for yourself bring. I also believe that just fighting the battle is enough to improve your life, make it more meaningful and bring you happiness and success. You don’t have to win everytime – just keep trying and never give up.
Raven
Well I’ll be damned. It’s not often you encounter philosophy or overt intelligence (a joy in thinking) in a business context. It’s usually sales and advertising and no time for more than that. Thanks Michael. I found inspiration in this piece about competition and adjusting attitude to make a best fit.
I came across your site via Alibaba. I am looking for a supplier for security equipment and you have caught my attention. I’ll get back to you if that’s my decision after I’ve read and considered all your business options. No procrastination, just after a reliable business decision based on my 8-step process.
Regards
Raven
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Seismicfish.com
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Clint
The “Attitude is everything” theory is the backbone to success in anything you do, I totally agree. With about 30 years (from when I started my own lawn/homecare business at the age of 14 due to my parents being- mom, PT waitress, and dad- shoe dept. manager at JCPenney) of sales and marketing success, I have proven this theory true 1,000′s of times. Thanks for this opportunity, I am doing $1,000 week profit come hell or high water on a almost full time basis !! !!
SafetyMode Systems -Pepper spray, stun guns, tasers, surveillance cameras, hidden cameras and more.
We are as tenacious and relentless as a pit bull. Will NEVER give up.
Orion Self Defense
Perserverance is the key. Like Mike says “Never Give Up!”
Orion Self Defense
Competition is good. It keeps you moving forward…
Hottest Pepper Spray
I was in a store a while ago and the owner had a sign up, thanking his competition. I don’t remember the exact words but basically it thanked his competition for always reminding him to stay on his toes and showing him the goals he needed to reach to be better than them. I was remarkably impressed.
Dutch
Yesterday I went in to pay my Insurance premium as the girl was posting my payment I asked if she had a pepper spray,she said she did,I asked if I could see it,after digging in her purse she came up with this very small unit,She said she thinks it was about 2 or more yrs old, I asked if I could go outside & test it as she never had, outside I had a hard time pushing the lever down & then it only streamed about 2 to 3 ft. I returned to the office & I told her I would not recommend her to depend on it
and suggested she purchase another one even if not from me, It amazes me how many people are carrying a unit that will not work or even stop an aggressive person.
I try to point this out to everybody I talk to,unfortunately
we have thousands walking around with false security in
their pocket or purse.
Self Defense Products
“You don’t have to win everytime – just keep trying and never give up.”
Words to live by my friend!
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Mama say’s (these are my magic shoes they can take you anywhere you wanna go.)
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Work hard, be humble and God will take care of the rest.