Competition nowadays involves one key attitude:
Not stopping.
It’s up to you how to keep moving constantly, what matters is that you do it.
Seven random choices:
- Perfecting skills.
- Keep starting new projects (Matt Cheuvront is a great example of this).
- Learn all about one thing.
- Learn a little about a lot of things (this makes you more interesting too).
- Travel and grow your vision of the world.
- Do physical exercise. Remember, body and mind are one.
- Build more meaningful relationships (you have to mean it, gathering numbers is moving backwards).
Things like going to college or working your ass off at your job, while valuable, are standard.
You need an edge.
That’s what constant movement outside the regular paths will give you.
Sparked by Matt Cheuvront
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
I couldn’t agree with you more, Carlos. The beautiful thing about this is it works on the micro and macro level. Individually, you need to always seek new ways to grow (whether it’s mentally, physically, emotionally, etc.). For me lately, I’ve been trying to learn new skills in the world of Photoshop. On a business level, if a company isn’t always moving and stagnant for any significant length of time, they’re going to be left in the dust.
Great post!
Agreed, thank you Jackie. Go with it.
Great post Carlos – and thanks for the shout-out. We are thinking along the same wavelengths as I have a post in the works along these same lines. I gave up blogging several times before because I was opposed to focus – I thought I was becoming too specific in my topics and approach and I was afraid of ‘branding’ myself.
With Life Without Pants, a new page has been turned – I’ve accepted and welcomed the branding that inevitebly will come as a writer. What am I known for? Maybe not one thing specifically – but people have come to known what to expect when they visit my blog – whether it be thoughts on Gen Y, social media, entrepreneurship, marketing, philosophy, whatever. I’m “that guy” – But it’s OK to be that guy. It’s OK to be known for something.
But with that said – you don’t want to stop there – I am a proponent of keeping my legs moving – trying new things, reinventing myself and what I do – whether it be through writing about new topics, podcasting, video series, design work, etc. It’s that evolution that (hopefully) is keeping me interesting to all of you.
Cheers! And thanks again Carlos!
It’s deserved my man, you are a great example. A great “shark” as Preston below puts it.
Great ideas! Gathering numbers makes me think of Twitter. I’m pickey about who I follow but not pickey enough. I’d rather have 100 followers who are really interested in what I have to say than 1000 followers with 900 who could care less!
Twitter is an example, but people do it with many other tools as well. Thanks for sharing your thoughts Tess.
Great advice and great post with seven random ways to keep moving. Not only is it motivating, but having a list or somewhere to start (even 7 random things) is always good for gaining traction. And that’s a good point about movement outside the standards. While still important, the standards are like running on a treadmill: it’s technically movement but still actually moving. Apply aggressive and ambitious work and study habits to everything.
We could all take a lesson from sharks. They have to keep moving to pass water over their gills to survive. Same goes for today’s world. We have to keep moving and constantly have new things passing over us to survive.
Good point, standards are the minimum. Nice analogy with the sharks
I like this spark, Carlos. And, I totally agree, Matt is a great example of everything you outline here. I think that there is competition in the blogosphere, even though we may not realize it. Even for those of us who aren’t trying to build a personal brand, but want to connect with people, build community, and find loyal readers, we’re not the only ones who want to do this, so we have to “compete” too. It’s all about balance, and I think you give a great list of ways to help attain and maintain that balance. Well done, my friend
Of course it is, good point Sam. We are always competing for something. It’s best to “lose” than not be a part of it.
“Travel and grow your vision of the world.”
There’s my strategy!
Mine too!
“Tired” shouldn’t be a part of your vocabulary if you want to become truly successful.
“Bored” either.
Another inspiring post.
I am disappointed to hear so many people chasing part-time passive income streams. Far too many people believe they can live the good life on a “four hour workweek.”
However, that is also a good thing. That means there is less competition for those willing to put in the work and build great things.
Carlos, I have a card pinned up in my bathroom mirror so I see it every morning. It says, “Life is always in motion so I cannot be stuck.” It kind of reminds me of your post. Keep moving, you will be moving constantly, but the direction is also important. Thanks (as always) for the insightful reminder.
That’s a good card