1. Stay on top of your industry To compete in the business world you must know what is going on in your industry. If you work in the publishing world, for example, you need to know what types of books people are buying, where readers are buying books, and what the next trends are. You do this by reading trade journals, attending conferences, and talking to key people in your industry. If you’re a business owner, such as an accountant, you need to keep up on tax laws and any changes in your industry and you need to keep your entrepreneurial skills sharp. You will definitely be able to keep your competitive edge if you stay informed. For your daily practice, read an industry journal every day.
2. Keep educated
You can’t compete if you’re not the best at what you do. Some industries have ongoing education, such as the beauty field. Most hairstylists take seminars continually as hair styles and cutting techniques change. Read books, take classes and seminars; hone your skills, and learn a new skill if you want to advance in your company. Education will provide you with a strong edge above your competition. For your daily practice, read a book or study some educational material.
3. Review your goals daily With all the options competing for your attention, how can you make informed choices? I’ve often advised my coaching clients to measure these alternatives against their goals. If you have a goal to lose 10 pounds and you are looking at the foods competing for your attention in the grocery store, you may choose the ones that fit your goal of losing weight. If your goal is to get a promotion at work, and you have competition for the job, you might need to learn a new skill to give you the edge. If your goal is to reach a certain income level in your business and the competition is cutting prices, you could develop a new product line to gain the edge. Your daily practice is to read your goals each day and use them to help you make decisions from the competing choices and to stay ahead of your competition.
4. Stay healthy
It’s difficult to maintain a competitive edge if you’re not mentally and physically fit. You need clear thinking to determine your actions. You need physical energy to take on the competition. What you will do as a daily practice is up to you, but here are some suggestions. For mental fitness you might start the day repeating 5 positive affirmations that put you in a positive mindset for the day. An example would be: “I am excited about all the challenges I face each day with ease and victory.” To stay fit physically, do a morning stretch routine, jump on a trampoline, or take a 2-mile walk. Also, choose foods that energize rather than exhaust.
5. Take a risk
What can you do each day to stretch yourself? To keep an edge up on the competition, you need to do new things and do things differently. What are you afraid of? What’s holding you back? What are your limitations? Do something each day that moves you out of your comfort zone. Drive a new route to work, pack a new lunch, wear a new combination of clothes, talk to a stranger, read a newspaper you’ve never read.
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