I have said before that I have some issues with this idea that has taken over in creative communities over the past year: community over competition. I rather don’t love the concept because I think it can be confusing. When you are in business, there is an undeniable level of competition and I don’t think that is a bad thing. I think competition can keep our business brains sharp and innovative. I wish the phrase was “community over comparison.”
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My issue with deciding that we should only focus on community is that you should not feel pressure, once you are reaching higher levels of success, to return to your community and help them all get to your level. A successful woman doesn’t owe everyone else the secrets to her success. I would rather she keep blazing forward, honestly. If she builds herself up to the next glass ceiling but before punching through that, she returns 4 levels below and builds an elevator for everyone else, we lose because no one gets to see what is beyond that next ceiling.
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The people who are are gonna work hard don’t need someone else to build a perfect road for them, they only need a faint trail to follow. If we can all keep moving forward, even if we just barely see the dust ahead of us, we can keep innovating ourselves as we get there. Making the path our own.
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I love the idea of community over comparison because if you see someone in your area who is killing it, instead of wallowing in a pool of jealousy, reach out! TELL her she inspires you, ALLOW yourself to feel inspired instead of angry. Let her light a fire under your ass get things about your own business figured out so you can join her in goal crushing. By all means, don’t compare to her. You are both unique artists! She doesn’t owe you all her locations or her editing process. But she likely would love some words of encouragement and hopefully she will “community” you right back.
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If she wants to be “the best”, by golly let that queen fly! We can all watch, learn, support and grow ourselves.
