"Healthy Competition", truth or myth?

Is a colleague a wolf to his colleague? Or something else entirely?

Making the decision to start something of your own, such as opening your own business or company, could definitely be declared as one of the most difficult decisions in life. A decision that many do not decide on. Whether it's the fear of failure, the problem of paying bills, getting clients, peer pressure or simply staying with what we already have... sometimes it's easier to stick to the framework and comfort zone.

In the world of beauty, starting your own business is no easy task. Along with all the "problems" mentioned above, we must mention one that few of us are prepared for, especially at the very beginning.

The problem of “competition”.

Colleagues, camaraderie, competition, danger... or something completely different.

At the very beginning, expectations are high. We expect support and encouragement from those “older” and more experienced in the business. Understanding of clients due to beginner mistakes. Lack of work and worry about whether anyone will return for treatment. And we often get it. Sometimes in a positive way, or, in a difficult and negative way. No matter what, the important thing is to keep going.

If you are at the very beginning, know that this too must pass. Any criticism (both good and bad) is constructive criticism.

Every dissatisfied client is a lesson that needs to be learned, and you need to be prepared for it next time and be able to handle it.

Every bad review and comment (whether it's to your face or behind your back, or from a client or colleague) is a motivation to be better. I know, it's not easy.

And one bad news: it will never stop.

Fortunately, though.

Because the meaning and ultimate goal of this job is growth and development. Perfection and constant advancement. You can always see and learn something new. To be surprised by some things for the hundredth time, to be unprepared for some situations... and so on.

But let's get back to the topic from the beginning: Competition.

It may sound like a cliché, but it's very simple to divide this word into two parts:

Good
And/Or (or)
Bad

Competition.

We will start with the negative, to conclude the text with the positive.

“Bad competition” is she (or they)
...
People, phenomena, things... careless and inconsiderate.

Those who do this job solely for some personal interest. Maybe money, maybe fame, maybe pride or some personal satisfaction or fulfilling other people's expectations...

There are those who have no will or interest in being collegial and understanding that we are all flesh and blood and that ultimately we are all trying to be the best we can be.

Bad competition is also those who think they are smarter than everyone and that they know the best. They are not ready to study further, work on themselves, let alone be available to others or help a colleague. They think that one education is enough and that all the others are just "papilova" and nothing new can be learned from them.

A bad competitor is one who speaks (and writes) badly about others, without any adequate basis and support. She who does not value herself, lowers prices to nothing, uses bad material, rips off clients and does bad advertising and smears this profession and profession.

And of course, bad competition is the one that is “the best”, there is no better and no better. They are the beginning and end of everything. And they are not. They cannot be.

One good news, there are very few of them. In fact, I would dare say that we are all part of this at some point. Until we learn. Until we realize that it is more worthwhile to be on the other side.

"Good competition" is all those who primarily love their job and do it conscientiously, responsibly and correctly.

Good competition is a technician who goes to training and knows that he never knows everything, but tries to be better and that learning is the foundation, the foundation and the turbine that we must turn to make everything work as it should.

A good competitor is one that cares about its clients and pays attention to their wants and needs, but also values ​​itself and its work.

One who respects other colleagues and does not exalt herself. She helps and gets to know the "competition" in order to achieve good neighborly relations and thus create a pleasant atmosphere for herself and others at work, on the internet, at fairs, competitions, trainings...

Someone who works on herself and is aware that sometimes she is better at something, but also knows that we all have good and bad days, moments of weakness, and of course days when nothing goes our way.

Good competition is all those who are ready to work together to make this business better, more beautiful, and of higher quality every day.

And no, it's not about myths. It's about being willing to accept the fact that someone else's success cannot ruin our own. It can only inspire in us the desire to be better.

Likewise, we must not fall under the influence of “better people.” Some works on the internet can really lower morale and spoil the mood. Sometimes it's hours of work, and sometimes hours of work on Photoshop.

It doesn't matter which of these two is true. What's important is to know that we can always be better and work towards perfection, and that in reality no one is and never will be. Likewise, we were all at the beginning once, or we are right now.

Slowly, it will all come into its own and if we persevere enough, success will not escape us.

There is enough work for everyone. Every commodity has its buyer. Everyone chooses and goes where it suits them best, and that is something that will never change.

The only thing that matters is that we never give up on being healthy competition for each other. Because it exists. That's who we are. That's in us.

And of course, we can all easily become one or the other. There is no definition.

We can only change ourselves, not others.

So, dear colleagues, let's be good competitors for each other.

Bozena Ljušanin

Bo Lash