A tale of two tailors
Competition is either really great or it doesn't exist at all.
Walmart has Target.
Walgreens has CVS.
Starbucks has Dunkin’ Donuts.
And I have probably 500 other therapists and coaches in the local area… “competitors” that is. All vying for attention and hopefully, money and good reviews.
On one hand, from a free market standpoint, competition is good for consumers. In fact, according to the White House:
Basic economic theory demonstrates that when firms have to compete for customers, it leads to lower prices, higher quality goods and services, greater variety, and more innovation…
But on the other hand, is competition even real??
From a psychospiritual standpoint, NO. Let me give you a story to help explain why.
a tale of two tailors
Recently, my boyfriend and I went to have a couple items tailored.
We searched for alterations places near us and saw two strong contenders, one just a little closer to us with more reviews, and at a slightly higher rating so that’s where we started.
What’s fascinating is that when we arrived, it was in a very eclectic single dwelling home, owned by a feeble-looking woman who met us in a mumu, having her morning coffee in the living room.
We were taken aback, but she was super friendly and offered us some coffee while we waited, which we declined.
She looked at my boyfriend’s jackets and said she could not do them herself, but instantly recommended the name of the other tailor we had also been considering.
At her suggestion, I left my skirts to be hemmed with her, noticing a large pile of other alterations, awaiting her skilled attention to detail. While she had me draw up my own receipt, she asked us all about our lives.
I left feeling like I’d been hanging out with someone’s grandmother who loved being of service to others.
On one hand, I thought it was sad that she was still working at her age, but on the other, very impressed at what is likely a passion for her, and a way to stay busy and provide income which has clearly been appreciated by the local community who still frequent her establishment.
The other tailor could not have been more different. She had a complete storefront off the side of her home, with display windows and automated systems and technology.
She came across very authoritative and business like, having no problems asking $75 per jacket to take up the sleeves.
We were in and out in about five minutes, confident she would get the job done well, and in the amount of time she quoted us.
SO I ASK YOU, WHICH IS BETTER?
The one with more experience and four more reviews at a 4.9 average rating but with no technology and a potentially awkward setting you have to call ahead to get in with, OR the younger, more modern and streamlined businesswoman at a 4.3 average rating who charges more but is efficient?
It’s going to depend on personal preference.
Same is true for you and those you are meant to work with, partner with, and be in relationship with.
You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. You just need to do you as boldly and authentically as possible. The energy will speak for itself.
You are one of a kind.
You are the ONLY version of this particular expression of humanity or even what some might call universal conscious awareness or divinity/ god.
You can picture it like this – “If Spirit were water, soul would be a particular lake or river, and personality would be waves on its surface – or frozen chunks of ice in the river” (Riso & Hudson).
That which the world knows and calls by *insert your name here* is a unique across time and space, multi-dimensional being and the reason you’re here is to:
“FIND THE SPACE IN THE WORLD THAT FITS YOUR EXACT SHAPE AND FILL IT AUTHENTICALLY.” (Tanya Markul)
So, for me, that means providing a space for those who know their life could be so much more peaceful and enjoyable than it is if they could only get past worrying what others will think of them.
I’m a great fit for people who:
appreciate when someone doesn’t mince words and gets right to the heart of the issue
prefer solutions rather than just talking about feelings
are forward thinking and done living in the past
are willing to be uncomfortable for a little while until new beliefs and behaviors start to feel normal
So if that sounds like you and you could use a little help, hit me up. I’d love to chat and see if we’re a great fit. :)
In the meantime, DO YOU BOO! As boldly and authentically as possible. I’m cheering you on!