Your Silent Competition

As you sit down to write, you secretly wonder, am I doing it wrong?

Boston Commons Squirrel

You have already mindlessly scrolled through social media and blogging platforms and are still wondering what they have that you do not.

Was I supposed to double down on that one or two articles that did well and beat it to death?

• Did I pivot too soon?

• Did I pivot too late?

Are you the one in the back of the room silently waiting to make a move?

• Did you miss your chance?

• Has the window of opportunity already closed?

It seems that ¨everyone¨ is doing it, or are they faking it?

These thoughts go through my brain daily: the bragging posts and the bragging videos.

Don’t get me wrong.

I am all for self-promotion, but at what cost?

Do I want to pigeon myself into the mindset that if I don’t write about making money, or (insert your best post here), my posts will all tank?

• If I don’t write about something trending, will it tank?

• If I don’t film what my audience wants, will it all tank?

I have seen what works my entire life, and then I continue pivoting, rebranding, restrategizing, and forging on with foresight.

I see what works again, and then I push the boundaries. I know what works, and then I will keep going forward.

Many think this is abandonment. I see it as progress.

Gurus or those who know more than me would most likely disagree with my way of life. However, they do not have to live inside my head daily.

My life is about discovering what I can do and how far I can push my boundaries. Your life has a different angle and desire.

In another way to say it, we are different. No one person is the same.

It is about consistently doing well in every aspect of my life and making it fun/enjoyable.

I mean, so many people get obsessed with the numbers and forget that life is not meant to be taken so seriously all the time.

You already know how it ends.

I will quit if something is not fun or I do not enjoy it. As an Enneagram 7, my life must be fun. (Here is the link to the free enneagram test. Drop me yours in the comments!)

Life is meant to be enjoyed, a game, a challenge, not just a Speedwagon to the top. Because once you reach the mighty pinnacle of ¨making it¨, what then?

After living a certain way for so long, anytime something gets dull, routine, and too good to be true. I either spice it up on purpose or am afraid to succeed.

At least that’s what people tell me, the ¨are you scared to succeed ¨ part.

I would answer no; I do not want you to have any expectations of me since it is natural for humans to have expectations, a habit that I am working on breaking: no expectations, no attachments.

This is mainly for me and my brain to always stay hungry.

One of the most cheesy lines about life is also my favorite saying: comfort is the thief of joy.

If I get comfortable, I get lazy, slowly slip away into sadness, and slowly see myself as someone I never want to become.

So I spice it up, restart, redo, and add another layer. Why not?

I have been stuck in the elusive rut one too many times in my life. What gets me out is creating change and discomfort.

Yet, do I still stand in the back of the room in silence and wonder what you are doing?

• Absolutely yes.

• And do I want to pry and figure out your secrets? Yes, I am human.

• Do I really care? No

I am simply nosy.

Yet the competition is healthy and reminds me of why I am not like you, and you are not like me.

A thief in the night, a stealer of joy, and competition keep us on our toes as long as we can separate the competition as a healthy motivator vs the competition that causes us to think we are not good enough.

• Have I mastered the art of writing after all this time? No.

• Am I all over the place all the time? Yes.

• Do I want to prove that being myself and having my style is more important than bowing down to the algorithmic gods? Yes.

Why.. rebel since birth and be consistent no matter what they say; if you do not give up, you already win.

Which I get yes leads into.

What if I am consistent but getting no reads? Then, yes, tweak and research, and work on your craft and your art.

Then, figure out why you are writing or doing what you are doing.

The answer is always inside you, no one else; it's always you. Stop searching in the external world; you have all the answers inside you.

I tell people all the time, you already know. You really do.

Maybe you are the standout, the unique unicorn that stood out from the crowd; crazier things have happened.

That belief alone motivates me daily, and if I am wrong, so what? My life is a game.

I am an eternal optimist, no matter what negativity the world wants to vomit on me.

And remember, everything online is fake, and no one has it all figured out. If you think they do, don't be Delulu.

XOXO

S

Check out my new blog; it is messy and a work in progress:)

https://www.saraburdick.com/