Competition vs Creativity

"the ability to create, is the only sustainable advantage"

Most of us were raised to believe in the benefits of competition. If we worked a little harder or did something a little better than the next guy it would lead to some form of victory or success.

I now believe we would be better served if we changed our focus from competition to creativity. The end result would be that we become happier and more successful. Less stress and more reward.

Competition attempts to be like. In competition we analyze the opponent and copy what we think we see as successful. Then we try to do a little more or do it a little better. That sounds logical but there is a major flaw in that strategy. And that is that it breeds sameness. We end up trying to do the same thing only a little better.

The great achievers in life are focused on creativity. Creativity leads to newness. A new way to do things and not just a slightly better way. A totally new product instead of a slightly better one.

To create something is much more satisfying. It leads to whole new ways of doing things. It is exciting and not just a grind.

Competition is an outdated model that leads to modest gains. Creativity can blow the doors open and do what has never been done before. Competition is the very reason that North American car makers are in trouble. The old business paradiam is failing the companies and it's employees. Playing follow the leader or trying to stay marginally ahead isn't working. Create something the world doesn't know it wants yet and get your companies excited and invigorated about the future.

The greatest things in life are those that we created. People with a vision are in huge demand and short supply today. And do you know what the real beautiful thing about this approach is? You can have fun doing it!

Smile, if you can't outwork the competition, you can always outplay them!

Eduardo