Be Kind to Your Competitors

Being kind is not the usual advice you’d hear related to dealing with those of whom you are competing. Most everyone wants to be successful, have more money, have a better product, and perhaps secretly (or directly) make your competitor look bad. It’s much easier to make someone else look bad than to simply improve yourself. Improving yourself takes time and effort – making others look bad just takes a few harsh words.

However, there’s something that’s more valuable than profit and the way you or your competitors look: respect. Self-respect and respect from others is gained by living in a way consistent with integrity. Not everyone has the same values and beliefs, but most people know that they should lie, steal, and gossip. Live with integrity, be wise in the words you use, and those values will take care of you.

John Wooden was a famous basketball coach at UCLA, was named national coach of the year six times in during his career and won 10 national championships within 12 years. Wooden was quoted, “Be more concerned with you character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.”

While this may sound great, why does it matter if we’re kind to our competitors or not? Aren’t they the “enemy"? In one context, it’s seems obvious that our competitors are not our friends, but we must consider two things: What is the ultimate goal and how do we get achieve that?

Our aim should be to personally do better as artists. We get better by learning, understanding, and sharing knowledge. If we make an enemy out of someone, we become driven by negativity. If we can see someone else as a fellow artist, then we see him or her positively - as someone who shares a common interest. They have their own style and you have yours – you will each have your own business that caters to people who share an interest in your respective styles.

I came across Luke 6:37-38 (NLT), and it says: “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full…”

You will cause yourself more pain and suffering if you are motivated to make others look bad. Instead, focus on your skill and the energy produced by your passion will be noticed. People are inclined to get involved with those who exhibit positive energy and naturally make others feel good. Be someone who motivates others and you will find your personality is doing a better job marketing for you than any paid campaign.

Be kind to others and know that your rewards not limited to money and things you can see. This world is just temporary, but it is still a gift. The things we can’t really physically see - love, talent, and appreciation; are much more valuable than some cash. Keep a positive mindset in how you perceive yourself and others as artists and you will be more successful and have a greater peace.