I Forget Competition Exists

A couple of years ago, when I was still doing VA work, someone blocked me on social media.

I didn't notice right away. But when I did, I was genuinely confused. We'd never interacted. I'd never said anything negative about them or their work. I hadn't done... anything, as far as I could tell.

Then I realized: we offered similar services.

And apparently, that made me competition.

I remember thinking: Oh. Right. Some people see it that way.

My Brain Doesn't Go There

When I meet someone who does similar work, my first thought is: Oh cool, a potential collaborator. Maybe a future friend.

Not: Oh no, a threat to my business.

This isn't some strategic positioning I've carefully cultivated. I'm not performing abundance mindset or trying to be the "bigger person." This is genuinely just how I'm wired.

I love collaborating. I think when we work together, we all get better. I think there's room for everyone. And I genuinely don't see other people's success as a threat to mine.

Which means I regularly forget that other people do see it that way.

What This Actually Looks Like

In practice, this means I:

Refer clients to other people. Even when I could technically take the work myself. If someone else is a better fit, or has more availability, or specializes in what the client needs—I send them over. No hesitation.

Mentor other business owners. I answer questions, share what's working for me, talk through pricing or offers or systems. I don't gatekeep information or strategies. What's the point?

Collaborate on projects. I love working with other people. Co-creating things. Bringing different expertise together. Building something better than what either of us could make alone.

Cheer for other people's wins. Someone else's successful launch doesn't threaten mine. Someone else's full client roster doesn't mean there are fewer clients for me. I'm genuinely happy when people I know are doing well.

The Business Advantage

Here's what this mindset has built: a broad network of business friends and acquaintances who I actually like and trust.

People refer to me because I refer to them. It's reciprocal, but not transactional. We support each other because we genuinely want each other to succeed.

I have trusted collaborators for when clients need things I don't offer. Design, copywriting, bookkeeping, content strategy… I know people. People I've worked with, people whose work I respect, people I'm happy to recommend.

And those people recommend me too.

The rising tide lifts all boats. Collaboration creates opportunities that competition closes off. When I support someone else's work, I'm not diminishing my own, I'm building relationships that benefit everyone.

There's Room for Everyone

The scarcity mindset says: there are only so many clients to go around. If someone else gets one, that's one less for me.

The abundance mindset says: there are plenty of clients for everyone. And people choose providers based on fit, not just availability.

Someone else doing similar work doesn't threaten that.

People choose you for you. For your approach, your energy, your specific way of doing things. Not just because you offer a service they need.

Different people resonate with different providers. Some people will vibe with me. Some people will vibe with someone else who does similar work. And that's just people finding the right fit.

There's room for all of us.

When Collaboration Feels Naive

Sometimes, this mindset feels naive.

The blocking incident was a reminder that not everyone thinks this way. Some people genuinely see me as competition. Some people operate from scarcity. Some people believe that another person's success means less opportunity for them.

And that's okay. They can run their business however they want.

But I don't have to adopt that mindset just because they have it.

I don't have to see other people as threats. I don't have to hoard information or opportunities. I don't have to operate like there isn't enough to go around.

Because in my experience, there is enough. And collaboration has served me better than competition ever could.

I'm Going to Keep Forgetting

I'm going to keep forgetting that competition is supposed to be a thing.

I'm going to keep collaborating, referring, mentoring, celebrating other people's wins.

Not because I'm trying to be virtuous or position myself as above the fray. But because that's what feels right. And because it works.

My business is better because of the people I collaborate with. My network is stronger because I support other people's work. My clients get better outcomes because I'm willing to refer them to someone else when that's the right call.

So yeah. I forget competition exists.

And I'm okay with that.