Jealousy and Competition are Not Healthy Words

Sharing somebody's success brings us back to a feeling of community, and celebrating as a community is one of life's finest pleasures. Take a moment to call and say 'congratulations', or a 'I'm so happy for you', and really mean it when someone you know has a personal success. Really mean it! Jealousy should have no place in your life. It is a useless emotion except to show you that you are going in the wrong direction yourself. It creates stress, which, in turn, we all know creates health issues and disease. We can create community in our everyday lives. Participating in social groups and in online groups like this one, is a great way to meet new people and make new friends. You can learn new things and spend some quality time making you a "great you."
I recently began attending a local social meetup here in Orlando. It is close enough for me to walk to, so my baby girl and I go there every week(they are a kid friendly cafe). I have made some wonderful new friends, and I am promoting my business and getting my message out there at the same time. I have also had some new business opportunities arise out of these meetings, and now even have another source of income - all fringe benefits to the simple power of creating new relationships. I recommend that you take the time for you too. Who knows what could happen? The worst is that you may meet someone whose company you thoroughly enjoy or you have a great cup of coffee.
Yesterday at the meeting, when explaining what I do, I was asked how someone could promote their business when the economy is failing and how they could get past the headlines in every paper about how bad business is. I told them to do a mind detox - stay away from the tv and papers for 7 days. Be informed, but ignore the negative things and headlines. It would help clear their minds and be more focused on being creative in promoting their own business. I stressed the importance of meetups like the one we were attending. After years of retail and customer service, I know the importance of word-of-mouth advertising. Stay focused on making at least one new contact that you can help per day. That same person will return the favor - maybe not today or next week...but it will happen.
When we think about competition, we are always trying to outdo someone else. Whether you realize it or not, that comes through in the way you handle your day-to-day business the same way a smile can be 'heard' on the other end of a telephone conversation. There is more than enough for everyone in the big pie. When you understand that the pie never runs out, you share your piece, and someone else will share theirs. That is what makes successful business. It always comes down to sharing and relationships no matter what your business is. Build the relationships first. Remember the movie, Field of Dreams....Build it and they will come. How true is that?