"Competition" is such a common business practice, isn't it? I mean, it is so common that it is considered acceptable. As a business, you want to know who your competitors are...you are "competing" for the same audience or market. I have been writing a lot of business plans that have the standard "Who is our competition?" section in the outline...because you gotta know who else is in your space so that you can provide the customer with something unique or better, right?
But when you think about it, "competition" means there is always a winner...and a loser. It presumes that there is a limited "something" to go after: first place, larger market share (of a limited number), more earned revenue than the next guy (of the limited pie). Harmless (even necessary) competitive thinking?
Competition slides into real negative territory when you start thinking you want to eliminate it; or, conversely, people think you are harming another company because you are "competing" -- again, for the same limited "something".
Years ago I was developing a website for college sports. It was the first site to approach college athletic departments and offer to post all of their sports info -- scores, game stories, press releases, whatever -- not just the marquee sports (football, basketball), and not only from the "name" schools. This required visiting lots and lots of colleges, explain the website and set up the relationship. It was a pretty cool idea (this was waaaay before ESPN.com!).
However, within a year a competitor arrived on the scene. And his tactic was to bad-mouth his competition (us). I heard about it from another college contact who shared the specifics. I was shocked, horrified and afraid -- this could potentially harm us in the very small (oh yeah, limited) marketplace.
As soon as I hung up the phone, I tried to pray. But I was SO TICKED OFF at the competitor that I wasn't getting anywhere. So I called a friend of mine who I consider a spiritual mentor. I blurted out the terrible thing this competitor had done and, without missing a beat, he said "And what are you thinking about him?"
Aaack! No, my spiritual mentor is missing the POINT! the competitor is the bad guy -- HE needs to change! Fortunately, I didnt say this out loud...but I did squeak, "What??"
He then went on to explain that while I couldn't change the competitor's thinking, I did have control over my own thoughts. And the most important thing for me to do right at this moment was to align my thinking with Spirit and Love. For instance, I could know that Spirit is the only Creator and that Spirit's creation is only good. I am part of that creation and so is my good activity...in fact, good ideas that bless must come from Spirit and Love. And nothing can harm or prevent good ideas.
I started to get a measure of peace -- but I wasn't done! Now I had to include my competitor in my spiritual thinking. He is part of the spiritual creation too. Therefore, he can only be good. And whatever bad stuff he is saying is not true about me AND not true about who he is! So it won't/can't stand against the spiritual idea of who we BOTH are.
Ahh, peace at last. Instead of looking at my competitor as, well, my competitor, I was now looking at him as a compadre...a fellow spiritual being. We are not opposing or warring enemies, we are "cooperating" in the realm of Spirit by living spiritual and good lives.
What happened? I heard from other college contacts that they didn't pay any attention to the talk -- thought it was typical sales chatter (and not effective sales chatter). He eventually stopped it. And then one day I got a call from him saying we should meet and talk about how there might be good potential if we could work together. Cooperate not compete.
We did meet and had subsequent discussions about how it might work. And while we didn't end up working together (both companies went in different directions) we did forge a positive relationship.
When I think about Cooperating vs. Competition, a few things come to mind:
1. In Spirit, there are no losers...or enemies. Every spiritual idea is a winner, loved unconditionally by Spirit. The only thing to lose is the "enemy" label!
2. Good is unlimited and abundant when I abide by spiritual thinking and living. Therefore, I will always have what I need, no limits!
3. The creations of Spirit include all living, spiritual things, and no spiritual creature can harm another. So I must be inclusive in my prayers to bless, not harm, and I will be blessed!
4. And I can be open for Spirit to guide me to ways of cooperation with fellow spiritual beings.
In business plans, there will still be sections called "Who is our competition?". But imagine what could happen when we see our competitors as spiritual beings? We are already cooperating with them in the realm of Spirit.
