We need to realize the truth: the more that something is created, the more abundance of that thing exists! For a healthy vibrant community to flourish it is vital to adopt this mindset. Let us examine why competition can hurt not only others but ourselves, and why collaboration is the more beneficial choice.
This is why collaboration is far better than competition!
So empower eachother. Celebrate other's success and work with each other towards common goals. They in turn will be moved to do the same thing for you and others. There is plenty of room for us all. Be the change to enrich your community and profit from the great things that you will naturally draw towards yourself!
Animation by Libby VanderPloeg
Scarcity is a construct. It is normal to feel this way, to fear there is only a small amount of something such as a limited audience, number of students or customers. Society has conditioned us to fear that if others succeed that they will take this something from us. We have all grown up to believe there are finite sources of even things that are bountiful and once these are gone there is none left for us. Social scientists note how those in power artificially create these scarcities in order to control both the spending and labour of individuals [1][2]. So scarcity is a concept instilled by our society even when it doesn't exist that roots us against each other and causes negative competition.
For instance - we want to have a successful career in the arts. Our instinct is to restrict who gets the opportunity to showcase their art, where others are allowed to showcase their art, and who has access to learn how to improve. Perhaps we negatively talk about others thinking this will lower their reputation and are closed off to collaboration with certain artists. Any new artist is automatically considered a threat. We feel this mode of thinking is the only way that we can achieve what we envision for ourselves. However the opposite of this is reality, not only are we drawing a bad reputation of ourselves and putting off potential clients, students and opportunities, but the greatest drawback is focusing on your competition requires a significant amount of time and energy. This will result in us putting less focus on our own goals.
“Your competition is not other people but the time you kill, the ill will you create, the knowledge you neglect to learn, the connections you fail to build, the health you sacrifice along the path, your inability to generate ideas, the people around you who don’t support and love your efforts, and whatever god you curse for your bad luck.”
– James Altucher, American hedge-fund manager, author, podcaster and entrepreneur.
The reverse of our instinct is the reality. When we think in terms of collaboration, that is working with others towards a shared objective, project, or mission, the faster we move towards our destination. The more the audience sees the type of art, the more natural demand is created for this art. There is a power created with the exchange of ideas and concepts. Collaboration between different artists will generate new ideas and inspiration, and elevate the artform. In turn, the audience will take notice and respect for the art will be raised. Sharing helps grow abundance not only for others but also draws positive benefits towards ourselves.
"If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else." – Educator, author, orator Booker T. Washington.
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