Grow your business your way
Why Competition is Killing Your Vibe
I’ve always felt that each entrepreneur has its place in business and there’s no such thing as competition. Even if you’re convinced there is, I hope by the end of this you’ll see how that belief is quietly draining your energy and killing your vibe in business.
I’ve had to learn to accept that not everyone is my kind of person, and I’m not everyone’s kind of person either.
When I was little, I needed everyone to like me. I needed to fit in and avoid drawing unnecessary attention to myself. That need to be liked hasn’t completely gone away, but these days it’s dulled down. When it pops back up, I remind myself: “Thank you, I don’t need you anymore. If they don’t like me, they’re not my people.”
And that’s the truth about business too: thriving doesn’t come from competing. It comes from being authentic.
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What Competition Really Looks Like
Now, you might be thinking: “I don’t compete, I just do my own thing.” But competition often shows up in sneaky ways.
Have you ever found yourself wondering:
- “Should I do what they’re doing?”
- “Should I charge the same as them?”
- “Lots of people do what I do, there’s no room for me.”
- “I have to be more like them if I want a successful business.”
- “I can’t refer clients or talk about others in my field in case my clients leave me.”
Even if you don’t label it as competition, those thoughts are rooted in comparison. And the problem? They crush your creativity, fuel self-doubt, and block your true self from coming through in your business.
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The Hidden Impact of Competing
Here’s the danger: when you’re caught in that loop, you stop focusing on your own vision. You waste energy copying others, second-guessing yourself, and constantly checking if you’re “keeping up.”
I’ll give you an example. Years ago, I reached out to a personal trainer to connect. On our call, I could sense he was holding back. After that, I never heard from him again. The thing is, his style was very different from mine. If he’d opened up, I might have been able to send clients his way — people who weren’t the right fit for me but could have thrived with him.
That’s the scarcity mindset at work: believing there aren’t enough clients to go around.
But here’s the irony; the moment you stop competing, you actually attract more clients. Because when you show up as yourself, people see your values, your energy, and your unique offer. They sign up with you because you’re you.
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Why Clients Don’t Care About Competition
And that’s the point: clients aren’t comparing you to everyone else the way you do. They’re looking for their person.
When I moved to the North East in 2021, I said goodbye to half of my in-person clients. I thought it was the end of my business. But many stayed, and one even told me, “I can’t find anyone I connect with like I do with you.”
Again in 2023, when I had a baby and took maternity leave, I feared losing everyone. But when I returned, I realised people stay loyal when they feel that connection. It’s not about whether you’re the cheapest, flashiest, or most popular. It’s about whether they trust you.
So instead of competing, ask yourself:
- What transformation can I bring?
- What makes me different?
- What skills, values, and experiences do I bring that no one else has in this combination?
When you build from that place, you stop worrying about who else is out there, because you realise the clients who choose you aren’t looking for just anyone… they’re looking for you.
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Thriving Through Authenticity
This brings me to the alternative: authenticity.
At school, I always wanted to be like a particular girl — smart, slim, sporty. She seemed to have it all. And while I’ve always done well academically (I got a 2:1 in my degree and solid grades), I’ve never been the “facts and figures” type. Instead, I’m the one who asks how you’re really feeling, what’s going on inside, and how we can work through it together.
And that’s exactly what makes me different. I’m a good listener. I’m empathetic. I create trust and safety. And I lean into that.
For you, it will be something else. When you lean into your strengths instead of trying to mimic someone else’s, you stand out naturally. And standing out authentically is what makes your business sustainable long term.
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From Competing to Collaborating
One of the most powerful shifts I’ve made in business is moving from competing to collaborating.
Over the years, I’ve referred clients to other coaches and trainers when it was the right fit. Why? Because I know my worth, I know my zone of genius, and I want clients to get the best outcome possible (even if that means it’s not with me).
Like the time a woman came to me with a knee problem. I could have said yes and tried to figure it out, but instead I told her: “Before we start, I’d speak to Dave — he specialises in knees.” That’s integrity. And you know what? It didn’t take away from my business. It added to it, because clients knew I’d always be honest.
Collaboration builds credibility, trust, and often more opportunities than competition ever could.
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So here’s what I want you to take from this: thriving without competing looks like…
- Staying focused on your vision.
- Building trust and connection.
- Leaning into your uniqueness.
- Collaborating, not comparing.
This week, try this: catch yourself in a moment of comparison or competition. Pause, and ask: “How can I redirect this energy back into my own business?”
Because when you stop competing, you rise. And when you rise authentically, your business follows.
If you want to take this further, download my free guide Rise Above the Rest. Your roadmap to building a business that thrives because of who you are, not because you’re copying anyone else.
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