It has been said that leaders don’t worry about the competition.  They don’t even regard it.  They only focus on “raising their own bar.”

There is some real truth in that.  If your energies are divided by looking behind, you’ll lose sight of what’s ahead.  You’ll be distracted and progress will suffer.

I ran track in high school and college and one major thing you never did was look behind you in the race.  It threw off your pace, form, and could even cause you to trip and fall.  Considering some of the foul surfaces I was forced to compete on, it was dangerous to regard the competition!

So too will regarding the competition be dangerous to your business life.  You may be chasing or being chased, but to build a quality business, you need to have a quality foundation.  If there is no ethical, competent base, one can’t very well sustain anything.

I have a “competitor” who often chases us in business.  Ironically, this company (which shall remain nameless – I don’t want to disparage) has been in business decades longer and should be monopolizing the market.  Instead, I find many best practices for us emulated by them.

One would say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but in this case, their efforts are lackluster – as if they don’t speak the language of business and are mimicking what they don’t understand.

Have you seen “funny home videos” of the occasional dog who can mouth a word like “momma?”  It’s pretty cute, but the dog has no clue of what it’s saying.

So to the title, how are these experiences helpful to me?  It only proves that what my company does is preferred, and the market says it with its support.  Not only that, but many of our customers tell us what our “competition” is trying and how weasel-like it comes across.

The bottom line?  Ethics win!  Like any relationship, if you try too hard, you’ll only meet with disaster.  If you’re relaxed, know your value, and enjoy the experience, you’ll attract others to you.

Look for the comparison in your own business.  Hopefully, you’re not the desperate one.

I’m reminded of my purpose today.

I’m sure it’s different from yours, just as your dreams, goal, and all experiences towards those ends are.  Then again, I’d hope that we would have similar revelations along the way – especially if we aspire to be noble.

But how often are you reminded?  Do you set post-its in front of you, have an alarm to wake you up from apathy, or a support group who keeps you motivated?

It’s a key change from the support and nurturing of our childhood to the constant struggle as adults.  I don’t run into a lot of mentoring experiences, nor do I meet a lot of people who are mentored.  One can only hope and pray that the adults in the world are receiving continued guidance – otherwise, what’s to prevent chaos?

But I digress – I’m not paranoid nor do I subscribe to theories about the apocalypse.  Maybe it’s ignorance, but really – what are you going to do about such things anyway?

So in the meantime, I focus on the here and now.  Tomorrow is not a guarantee and yesterday is unchangeable.

I believe there are 5 major areas we should all keep strong to enjoy a well-balanced and joyful existence:  Personal, professional, physical, emotional and spiritual.  Each of these has a purpose:

Personal is your friendships, family, spouse/significant other.

Professional is your vocation or career.

Physical is your personal health and fitness

Emotional is your mental well-being.

Spiritual is your system of beliefs.

Each of these areas has a state of flux.  I don’t often have a perfect “5 by 5″ nor do I often encounter anyone else who does – BUT, there is a purpose for each category and a role I need to fulfill towards achieving success.

Will you be reminded – and reminded often – of your purpose?  Or will your life stagnate in any area?  Seek to have a fire lit under you, a bird in your ear, or just a gentle nagging to keep your purpose and its progress.