Life would be monotonous and non-progressive without competition!!!

That opinion will not make me popular, but healthy competition is one of your greatest assets for self-improvement. It is a force that brings us to excellence. If no one was doing it, what is the use of doing it? I read this somewhere, “Pioneers get slaughtered; Settlers prosper.” Take a second and think about it.

Instead of feeling negative and bitter about your competition or competitors and wanting them to fail, use competition as a catalyst to become better at what you do, whether it is business, sports, or intellectual work. Our natural instinct is to not want competition — to prefer a lack of competition over excellence, but healthy competition is a driving engine. You never know how strong you are until there is resistance. How can you find out how strong you are without anyone challenging you?

Competition enables you to identify your specific and unique traits that are appealing. Once you discover them, you can identify your niche and grow it. When the field you are in is competitive, you have to keep being inventive. This means that even your offering will keep becoming better. Don’t hate the player, love the game and play it!

Customers will get a better experience, value or product for their money. This is because you strive to make sure you are giving them the best and keeping your promise to the market. You will spend time making sure they are happy and satisfied. Without competition, that will not be necessary because they have no other option anyway – which means if one day someone walks in and offers something just a bit better, your business will be done for.

You will simplify your offering to make it more attractive. The modern customer wants everything done “now” and as simply as it can be possibly done. This also means, you may end up simplifying the business processes for yourself too, in order to hasten delivery. Who wouldn’t work to work smarter instead of harder? You get to do more and earn more at the end of it.

When you have competitors, there are opportunities for collaboration more often than not. This means that if you are not in a position to offer a customer what they need, you can call on your competitor for assistance. Therefore, you do not lose the buyer because they will appreciate that you went out of your way to satisfy them, and you also built each other with your competition. “Keep your friends close and your ‘enemies’ closer” is sound advice.

These are just a few reasons why you should embrace and enjoy having competition. Thinking of ways to keep ahead of the rest, and improve your business, as well as increase revenue will make it more enjoyable, and will ensure the quality of your offering will keep getting better. Let your competition try to imitate and keep up with you – it’s the sincerest form of flattery.

The writer Joyce Waithira W. is a Partner Consultant – Strategy, at Brand Integrated consulting LLP.