Run Your Own Race

As the avid entrepreneur that I am, I study marketing techniques constantly. The age-old advice has always been to “crush, eliminate, destroy and out-do” your competition. I’ve come to realize years ago that if I’m focusing my attention on my “competition” and “crushing them,” and since "energy flows where attention goes," then I’m not allowing energy toward the growth of my own business. Rather, I’m expending my precious time and energy on other people and not myself.

This reminds me of my first grade teacher, Mrs. Miller, who was always reminding us to “mind your own business.” What GREAT advice! Okay, I will, and I urge you to do the same. Here’s why: Competition is an illusion.

Competition is the imagined phantom of people who are stuck in scarcity thinking. Lack mentality creates fear. Fear creates imaginary monsters. Competition is one of those monsters.

See, if you are truly living authentically and your business is a reflection of your authenticity, then by undisputable Universal Law, you will attract your ideal clients. If you are running your own race and keeping your focus on being your excellent self and providing excellent service, then the power of your focus and intention will outshine and override any and all lack-based fears. In fact, you’ll be so busy improving and expanding your game to be of even greater service, that you won’t have the time, energy or inclination to consider your “competition,” for lack of a better word.

Why do you think horses wear blinders in races? Think about it. Horses are trained to only look ahead to see where they are going. If they did not wear blinders, they would be distracted by the other horses and probably run right into each other. That would prove to be quite chaotic and potentially deadly.

I offer that the same happens with us. If we are focused on everything that is going on around us and comparing ourselves to others, we lose sight of ourselves, our goals and objectives. We must put on our blinders to keep our distractions at bay and focus on what is in front of us—the next step, and ultimately the illusive finish line.

This is where meditation and visualization come into play. I suggest daily meditation (I love walking meditation) before you start your workday, so that you are a clear channel for your business. Inspirations, ideas and insights will flow to you. Visualize what you want your business to look like: Who are you serving? Where are you going, traveling to, speaking with? What kind of money are you making? What does expansion look like?

The only race you have is with yourself. Are you living authentically? Is your business in alignment with your core values? Are you open to spiritual guidance and expansion? Are you always seeking to improve your services and to offer tremendous value? This is your race, honey.

Put your blinders on and give your attention to YOU and your business and watch the momentum grow. Your business is like a fingerprint: one of a kind. Even though you may offer similar products or services, nobody can deliver what you can because there is only ONE you. How can anyone compete with that?