There will always be competition

 I often find myself brainstorming business and quality of life improvement ideas with friends. We have a laugh and think of the next big thing. But we find ourselves often shutting down ideas because we realise they have already been done. Someone else has beaten us to the punch. It’s already up and running, even successfully. But doesn’t that just prove it’s a good idea? That it does work? That it can be successful?

The best thing since airplane tray tables!

There is always more market share. New customers or people trying different brands. You don’t need to be the biggest or the best to start something. If your aim is to be the best or latest multi- billion dollar company right out of the door you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. It’s like people who won’t go to the gym because they are afraid of getting too muscled up. Do you know how long and how hard you have to train for that to happen? It’s impossible to one day wake up and be too big. It’s the same as pursuing a business or project. It’s long, consistent, hard work. It’s failure and learning. It’s a mindset and a personal capability that only comes by doing. 

Some lessons are best learnt theoretically

If nobody did things just because it was already out there, the last restaurant would have closed a long time ago. Bakers, supermarkets, convenience stores, restaurants, retail. Any product you see more than once is done concurrently by thousands of businesses. Someone has taken a chance to put their money on the line even though it’s already been done. Even though they know they won’t be starting the next Uber or Facebook. They are simply starting the best way they know how. It’s okay to do what’s already been done, in fact sometimes that’s the easiest thing. You can follow in the footsteps of others as you find your own footsteps. Keep the variables to a minimum and look to bring your own expertise to the table in a way that suits your leadership style. You don’t need to be first, you just need to do.