We’re obsessed with our competition.
What they’re doing. What they’re not doing. Where they are in comparison to us (even silly, trivial things like how many fans or followers they have versus how many we do).
Understanding the competition is important. You *do* need intel, perspective, and a finger on the pulse of your industry and its direction. What you don’t need is to let your interest in what they’re doing get to the point where it distracts you from what *you* need to be doing.
Because if you’re watching too closely, obsessing over every detail, you’re now in *reaction* mode. You aren’t planning ahead, you’re responding to what you see (which may or may not be complete information). You’re also not doing something that’s critical to being innovative and progressive in business: forging into white space on the page.
If you’re watching the car next to you while you drive, you can’t pay attention to the open road in front of you. If you’re constantly watching what “they” are doing, you’ll lose the ability to consider the possibilities for what you’re doing, because you’ll be so busy trying to mirror or counter someone else’s moves. Immediately, by putting someone else in your field of view, you’re building in bias to your own perspectives about what’s feasible, possible, marketable, valuable. Unconsciously or no, it’s there.
Simply put: It limits your perspective, which in turn limits your imagination.
It’s fine to know what’s out there, what’s happening around you, and what you’re up against in reasonable doses. But use that for what it is: information. Nothing more and nothing less. And be sure you tuck it neatly in your pocket as something useful, but don’t let it distract you from what your own purpose is.
Now. Get your eyes back on the ball and get out there. We’re waiting.
That’s why, regardless of everyone telling us not to worry, that we worry about our numbers in social media. Is it really about reach? Or is it about saying you have more followers that I do?
Thank you for putting this out there. I have been expressing this opinion for so long and nice to hear someone else saying it.
Thank you for putting this out there. I have been expressing this opinion for so long and nice to hear someone else saying it.
Thank you for putting this out there. I have been expressing this opinion for so long and nice to hear someone else saying it.
Guilty as charged.
I’ve fallen into this trap lately, whereby I compared what I’ve got to what others have done and feeling a bit disappointed with my efforts and the results. I’m starting to learn that it’s not about what others have done, it’s about I’m able to do.
I think that’s an important first step in realizing your potential, instead of trying to mimic the success of others.
Thanks for the inspiration.
Reminded me of the newspaper industry, when reporters (me included) would obsess about scooping each other…when the public usually didn’t care. I’d rather be thoroughly right than always first. 🙂
Important advice. This is what I call, “running your own race.” Everyone has their own speed, style, and form. You’ve got to run the race at the pace that’s right for YOU, not the guy next to you.
On one end of the spectrum, there are companies that are so far out of touch with their customers that a look at the competition is absolutely necessary. On the other end, some companies are so obsessed with matching competitor step for step that they forfeit any vestige leadership. I’ve seen a lot of both ends, and not enough in the sensible middle, which your post advocates very nicely. Thanks!
On one end of the spectrum, there are companies that are so far out of touch with their customers that a look at the competition is absolutely necessary. On the other end, some companies are so obsessed with matching competitor step for step that they forfeit any vestige leadership. I’ve seen a lot of both ends, and not enough in the sensible middle, which your post advocates very nicely. Thanks!
Thanks for this great post Amber and to me it’s come at a time when I truly needed it. I am going through such situation right now and in that the game is being played on with an attitude of indifference and what I would call as ‘deadly sophistication’ (as narrow as it gets in the name of competition). But everyone learns, so do I. Bringing it to Social media, I think, it becomes extremely important to be aware of what your competitors are doing but this doesn’t mean you have to lose your own insights and vision, because in the long run they are only going to work. This is straightaway coming from the learning lesson I have learnt recently. Frankly, how simply you’ve presented this thought! There couldn’t be better explanation.
Winning is an obsession for many but they tend to forget that real win comes from innovation and constructive strategies. Many companies do spend heavily on social engagement and brand building through social media. They do get the benefits but soon they start realizing where they committed mistakes and if they do not realize and keep on doing it again and again, they themselves limit their reach.
Amber, as usual, right on target – I agree with you 100%. I experience that with a lot of my clients – they are so obsessed with what their competition is doing and every action they take becomes a reaction. We definitely need to know what the competition is up to and, but we can’t develop a fixation.
I strongly believe every individual, brand, company can be a leader … they need to find what makes them stand out and push that through … focusing on the competition hold us back and restrains us from achieving our potential.
I would love to share your post with so many of my clients …
thanks for the reality check Amber
I hate competition. I try not to do much with it. The other day, someone said, “Oh, you’re competing with _____.” I said “who?” And I wasn’t being clever. I was just so unaware.
Because the people who come sniffing around my door are my buyers to win. They’re not someone else’s castoffs. They’re mine to win.
I just try my best to run forward and not look sideways. Hell, I’ve started to learn how not to look back, as I’m finding that I trip over my shoelaces whenever I do.
Competition can bite a llama.
Nicely put, Chris. I agree completely. A while back I had a meeting with a prospective client who asked if I knew my competition and I answered just the same: “who?” and I wasn’t being arrogant, either. I’m just too busy looking forward and forging my path to look sideways. Regards.
Great post! I know that there are times when we can get so caught up in what everyone else is doing that we forget what we doing, and in turn lose ourselves. Its great to be “aware” of the competition, but don’t lose sight of our own goals and direction!
Interesting perspective and I agree that paying *too* much attention to others can be detrimental. However, I think we are often inspired by the thoughts and experiences of others, so we shouldn’t cut it off completely. A healthy balance of our own activities and those of others is key.
Thanks for the great article!
–Sean
The ABSOLUTE BEST POST I’ve read lately! Thanks for getting me back into the game!
Great point Amber. Our owner falls into this pattern and not only disrupts the flow for her, but for everyone in the company. I’ve actually used that “driving while looking sideways” analogy. So not only can it distract one person, it can be very disruptive for many.
Good points! Its so easy to get bogged down in what other people are doing. When you keep worrying about each little thing they do, how can you become the best you can be?