Yin vs YangThe Battle for Success in Life

Since I started writing for this blog, my first, I have learned so much from the blogging universe.  Blogging is a rather young industry, and I feel it is a symbol of the future of business.  It completely throws everything negative I was taught in school about how to run a business right out the window.  But, the true beauty of the blogger universe is found in what it represents.

Blogging is a mode of self expression.

It is a way to learn up to the date information from people all over the world in thousands of industries.  It is a way to communicate, learn, comment, share, and identify with others who think like you.  Most importantly, it is a door opener.  I can’t tell you enough about all of the wonderful people from different parts of the earth I have ‘met’ across the blogger universe.  We may have grown up in totally different environments, but somehow, some way, a simple blog has brought us together.

A great blog should be a meeting ground for people with similar aspirations in life.  Blogging shares so many wonderful resources previous generations did not have access to.  It has taught me that in the wide, wide world, we are all much more alike than we would probably prefer to admit.

Blogging represents a new, more effective way of doing business in today’s internet savvy world.

When I was young, I was taught in school you should be better than your competition in any successful business.  You should take every advantage, and make your competition weak.  You will only succeed with the demise of your enemy: competitors in your industry.  Well, blogging has completely turned these horrendous concepts upside down.

If I read an insightful blog, I always comment on it, especially if it is relevant to mine.  In fact, since I enjoyed it, I will probably go back and read it weekly.  I may even contact the owner to tell him how much I enjoyed his blog, and introduce him to mine.  In the blogger universe, your competition are your friends.  Working together gets you much further than trying to work against.  Cooperation > Competition.  The world is big enough for everyone.

In my opinion, blogging has exploded as an industry because it gives the power back to the people.  It is so invigorating to see competitors share ideas, help each other grow, compliment one another, and become friends.  I believe this is a rather new business concept that other industries will begin to follow as the the whole world merges into a single gigantic market.

Most importantly, the Blogging Universe has helped me grow as a person.

I have enjoyed my short time in the blogging universe.  I have read one great blog after another.  I have ‘met’ countless wonderful people, and learned an innumerable amount of priceless information.  I am so happy to be a part of a new, friendlier way of doing business, where people with similar interests are your friends, your peers, and your teachers.  Getting involved in the blogging universe has made me a better person overall, and I am thankful to be a part of it.  I am wondering if it has had the same affect on others.

How has the blogging universe helped you as a person?

, Stumble It!, or

Growing up, I was always taught to do my best.  Although I did not handle losing very well, I loved to compete in just about anything.  As I grew older, I learned that I had to work harder and smarter than the next man if I wanted to get ahead in life.  It was a constant competition.  Now, however, I realize that times have changed.  In this day and age, getting ahead is all about cooperation, and nothing about competition.

The world has opened up itself to us.  In the last 10 years, China has become a major market and world trade has become more lucrative than ever.  With the internet especially, you never know where your market will come from.  I have a friend who is a big hit with his website in a small section of Canada.  He has never been there, nor does he look or sound Canadian.  But for some reason, he appeals to them.

The point is, in this vast market on the web, the opportunities are endless.  There are plenty of customers for everyone.  Therefore, your goal is not to compete with people in your market, but rather to cooperate with them.  Networking with each other gives people in the same market opportunities to see both sites.  You both gain a market share by working together.

This works in the real world too.  Speaking and befriending your enemies is not just a tactical ploy for gangsters.  It works in real life as well.  Except, of course, the part where they throw the competition in the ocean with a new pair of shoes (at least most of us).  Passing knowledge and learning from one another is a great way to move forward.  This helps both businesses out as well.

Try to put into the past the thought of being better than everyone else. You never know what could happen.  For instance, when I had my mortgage company, I befriended another broker in NJ.  This guy did business just as I do, and I liked his honest style.  I learned a lot from him, and even though I never made a dollar off of him, I allowed him to operate in my office.  In turn, he fed me some business for Reimagine and lifelong tips.

Now, I am out of the mortgage game.  He is still doing well.  Every time I get a call from a past client, I give the business to him.  So, I still get to see a small income from mortgages, and he gets free deals to work on without having to develop a relationship with the client from scratch.  It is a win-win for both of us, and keeps the clients in good hands as well.  If I would have shunned him as my competition, this opportunity would not be present.

Being the best is a race against yourself.  Not anyone else.  In order to excel in life, work together with people involved in the same challenges you are.  Help them learn, and in turn, they will help you learn.  Remember that you are cooperating with these people to help yourself, not anyone else.  You may be helping them as well, but that is a benefit, not a harm.

Through cooperation, you will not only be successful, you will be well respected among your peers.  This alone, will create an endless avenue of opportunity.  Who better for a young entrepreneur to go to with a new venture than the successful, well known business man?

Cooperating with your competition will help you…

1. Stay on top of your market.
2. Pick up unique business strategies.
3. Gain new resources.
4. Spark ideas by brainstorming with the competition.
5. Open up new opportunities.

I don’t see how closing the doors to these 5 possibilities is a positive thing.  In fact, it is completely negative.  In this day and age, cooperating with the competition is a necessary way to survive.  Information changes at rapid speeds, along with the technology.  No longer are markets seemingly safe forever.  In fact, in this rapidly progressing world, movement is the only way to empower your business.  Information is the only way to pick the proper movements.  And cooperating with as many people in your market as possible is the best way to gain the right information.

One hand washes the other.  I’ve definitely heard that before.  Maybe this strategy is not so new after all.  I guess it is just making a comeback.