RYB 971: Your Competition Makes You BETTER (if you let them)

By Scott Voelker •  Updated: 04/12/21 •  8 min read

Welcome! I'm so happy to have you here today. It's going to be a great episode, and we're going to be talking all about mindset. This is a topic that I talk a lot about. This is something that we all often need to be reminded of. You really do have to be willing to learn from what you're already doing and how you can improve. If you're not willing to change and adapt, you'll never see the progress that you're looking for. 

You need to take the time to understand what's going on in your mind because it could make or break you. It's important to make sure you have a good mindset because I'm here to tell you that losing and good competition can actually end up being really good for you. You're going to learn a lot more when you've made a mistake or lost than if you just won all the time. So, that's why it's important to take a step back and be willing to learn from those losses. 

Why Losing Can Be Beneficial 

I'm a very competitive person, in the best way possible. I really do hate to lose, but I will say that losing has taught me a lot over the years. In fact, I would say that at times losing has taught me more than winning at times. 

My daughter, who is 13, has been learning what it feels like to lose while playing volleyball over the last few years. As I've walked her learn and grow, she has actually taught me a lot. She has used this as an opportunity to improve her came, and she never gives up, even when she does lose or makes a mistake. 

We're all going to go through ups and downs and have serious doubts about what we're doing. There will be times you're going to feel insecure. I'm here to tell you that as you level up your game, it will happen even more. When you grow and try new things, your chance of making mistakes or losing increases. That's why it's so important how you handle your losses. 

Now keep in mind that losing is very difficult than failing at something. I don't ever use the word failure because if you fail, that means that you've stopped trying altogether. If you're still in the game and willing to try again, you've lost, but you're still willing to get back up. 

Are you willing to learn from your mistakes and learn when you've lost? You have to be willing to learn from your losses and not let yourself get discouraged even during difficult times. 

How Your Competition Will Make You Better 

Now I want to share a story about my daughter. She loves to play beach volleyball, and when she competes, of course, she wants to win. However, she is 13 but is currently playing the 14-year-old division. So, most of the girls are older and more experienced than her. However, this has never got her discouraged. She would rather have more difficult competition and learn more than easily win in a lower bracket. 

This past weekend we went to Myrtle Beach for another tournament, and she played right next to the ocean. It's actually very difficult to play beach volleyball because of the wind and what it does to the ball. This was her 4th beach volleyball tournament, and she hasn't won every game. Consequently, she has lost some games that she's played. 

She is a great example to me because when she doesn't win, she doesn't let it get her down for very long. Instead, she learns from those experiences and from the competition. She analyzes what skills they use to win and those that she wants to develop herself. Next, she never would know about these new skills and be able to learn about them if she hadn't been willing to go to competitions and compete with girls who are better than her. She looks at losing as an opportunity to become a better volleyball player. And at every competition, she comes ready to show off new skills that she learned at the last one. 

Don't Be Afraid Of The Competition. 

The concept that my daughter using in beach volleyball can also be used when you're starting or running a business. You really do have to get in the game before you know what skills you currently have and which ones you'll need to develop in order to see some success. You also have to be willing to get your hands dirty and try new things if you want to learn, grow and improve in the long run. 

I will also say that you should never be afraid of the competition. In fact, without competition, you won't be able to succeed. The people that you are competing against will be able to help you be able to see that certain things are possible and help to motivate and drive you along the way.

You need to be inspired and work like your competition. You should be willing to model success and learn from other people. They've done all the legwork. So, if you use what they've found to be successful, you're going to save yourself a lot of time. 

Look at what other people are doing well and strive to emulate that. Competition is great because it helps to drive you to better and to work hard to beat them. You should let those people help and inspire you to get there. Don't use them as an excuse to stop what you're doing or decide to give up before you've even gotten started.

You should never give up because you're afraid of the competition. Instead, use the competition as fuel to motivate yourself and improve your skillset. There is always room for another successful person in your niche. 

If you're not surrounding yourself with people who inspire and motivate you, it's time to go out and find those people. You need to find those who will help inspire you to work hard and be willing to go above and beyond in order to see the success that you've worked so hard for. 

It's so important to understand that if you want to succeed, you have to want it. You can't feel defeated when your plans don't work out the first time. You have to be willing to try new things and learn from those around you who are successful. 

This last weekend, watching my daughter reminded me that there is no such thing as defeat. As long as you're willing to get back up, try again and learn from your past mistakes, you're going to see success in the long run. It may not always be easy, but the work is going to be well worth it in the long run. Just don't give up! Your mindset can either bring you down or bring you up. The choice is up to you.

It's important to spend time with those who are willing to pick you up and inspire you. That's why our Brand Creators Academy is a community. Everyone is there to help each other out and get things done even when they don't go as planned. Getting yourself surrounded by the right people is so inspiring and will help you feel motivated and ready to take on the world.

You always have to be ready to get back in the game when things don't go your way. From there, you have to get back to it and learn from your past mistake. You've got to keep moving in order to accomplish your goals. If you're feeling deflated, join the club. We've all been there! Please don't give up. You will get there as long as you continue to push forward. Like I've said, it's all about continuing on and improving as you go. Take the lessons you've learned from today and run with them. 

Thanks For Tuning in!

“Remember, I'm here for you, I believe in you, and I'm rooting for you! Now it's time for you to take action and go rock your brand”! 

Take-Aways From Today’s Episode

  1. Why Losing Can Be Beneficial (2:15)
  2. How Your Competition Will Make You Better (7:27)
  3. Don’t Be Afraid Of The Compeition (12:49)

Quotes

“Losing and good competition can actually end up being really good for you”.

“Your mindset can either bring you down or bring you up, the choice is up to you”.

Scott Voelker

Over the years I’ve helped thousands of people TAKE ACTION to UNLOCK their true potential on building their ultimate freedom business, by developing the skills to make them resilient, confident and FUTURE PROOF. I’ve clocked my 10,000 hours over the years working in the trenches myself and helping others build and grow their brands. I know the power in TAKING ACTION better than anyone and I’ve seen people lives changed as a result of it...including my OWN!