Do you view life as one big competition and winning as the ultimate achievement?

We all have been programmed to want to win. And for us to win, someone else has to lose. We spend a large part of our lives competing, if not with others, with ourselves. Even when we speak of teamwork, it is about our team beating another.

Competitive living can be exhausting and quite demoralizing to the losing party. This collective way of living is rooted in scarcity and lack. We have to get something before someone else beats us to it. Fearful thinking can lead to unethical behavior, hasty decisions and ineffectual, if not disastrous, results.

Is there an alternative to competitive living?

There is always an alternative. Instead of competitive thinking why not think in creative and collaborative ways?

You might ask: how can you collaborate with your competitors? My answer would be why do you consider anyone a competitor? What if you viewed everyone as a co-creator? You are creating your life and everyone else is doing the same—creating their own.

Is it possible? Yes it is. Look at how bloggers are leading the way.

Bloggers’ collaborative revolution

I thought I knew a lot about bloggers and blogging—little did I know. My learning started after creating this blog and connecting with bloggers on a daily basis. I am not talking about giant corporate blogs. I’m talking about individuals—like you and me. Every blog is the creative child of one individual, which makes it exceedingly personal.

How are bloggers supporting each other? Here are a few ways that I have experienced in my journey so far.

Comments

If you read blogs on a regular basis, you will notice that most of the commenters are bloggers. You might think they are doing it to gain exposure. This is partially true in case of very large blogs. But for the most part it is to network and support each other’s work—to be part of a larger conversation.

Writing about other bloggers

Bloggers link to each other’s work and expand on articles with their own views. They also interview each other and share their success stories with their readers. They aim to be of help to their readers and fellow bloggers at the same time.

Promoting others on social networking sites

Bloggers tweet and bookmark other bloggers’ posts and ideas. They spread the message by sharing it with a larger audience.

Guest posts

It is common practice for bloggers to guest post on other blogs. They write original content geared towards the readers of the host blog. This form of idea exchange gives the guest poster exposure to a new audience and provides readers of a host with fresh material.

Taking it to a whole new level: 1+1 = 3

This form of collaboration capitalizes on the success of each blogger and raises it to a completely new level by combining the talents to create something more powerful. Here are two examples.

1. The Daily Brainstorm—massive blogazine

The Daily Brainstorm is a an aggregator site/online magazine that showcases quality articles from more than 80 contributors and guest posters—ranging from the very famous and experienced to the up and coming writers.

The power of the collective helps each individual blogger gain exposure and experience. The reader finds many useful and interesting articles on various topics and by different authors in one place. Please check it out and subscribe. You won’t regret it.

2. The A-List Blogging Bootcamps & Club—joint and collaborative business ventures

This venture is an example of collaboration in the business of blogging. It was started by Leo Babauta of Zen Habits and Mary Jaksch of Good Life Zen. They offer training programs as well as a membership site where bloggers can network and help each other out.

Being a member of the A-List Blogging Club I can attest to this powerhouse alliance. If you’re interested in joining the revolution by starting your own blog or being part of a supportive community, the A-list Blogger Club is the place to be. Click here for more info.

Bloggers are a unique breed of creatives. Every blogger is a leader with a unique voice and a cheerleader supporting other bloggers—his or her credo is: when you empower others, you empower yourself.

Now imagine a world where people from all walks of life supported and inspired the best in others—a world of abundance, beauty and life to all.

The creative collaborative revolution is not exclusive to blogging. You can start in any field.  All it takes is the willingness to work with others, inspire and be inspired.

Viva la revolution!

“Pretend that every single person you meet has a sign around his or her neck that says, ‘Make me feel important.’ Not only will you succeed in sales, you will succeed in life.” – Mary Kay Ash

A couple of months ago we decided to buy a new car. Our car was 14 years old and we felt it was the right time. We looked online then went and visited a dealership and got the expected car salesman’s treatment. After more research we decided to go check out another local dealership that offered a good incentive for cleaner cars.

Within a few minutes of looking around, a smiling woman came and greeted us. She didn’t ask what car we were looking for but wanted to know about us and how we decided to check out Hyundai. Her name is Cindy. She speaks English with a heavy accent. We learned from her that she arrived in Vancouver a couple of years ago. She wanted to move to give her daughter a chance to have a more relaxed and fun future.

Cindy came as a single mother with a child and didn’t know anyone in the city. She is working as a car salesperson, rarely the profession for a woman. Cindy doesn’t know much about cars or finances. But she loves people and it shows.

We talked for a bit and told her what vehicles we were interested in. She showed us the models and then suggested we go for a test drive. She didn’t come with us.

We ended up buying the more expensive car (still in the compact category). We loved driving it. Cindy didn’t have to do any hard selling. All she had to do was give us a chance to choose and pay attention to what we were looking for.

When it came to the paperwork Cindy wasn’t of much help. But no one cared. She got the manager to do that stuff and made sure that we were happy with the deal we got.

That day we made the decision, paid a down payment and set a date for picking up the car.

When we went to pick up the car and complete the gazillion documents that need to be signed and copied, Cindy was there. She talked with us and made sure we were taken care of. And we were!

Before leaving, Cindy gave both of us, and a friend who came with us, souvenirs she brought with her from her last trip home. She insisted that we take something. A week later, she called to check if everything was ok with the car and to offer us a complimentary scratch pen for the new car.

We went again to see Cindy and she was warm and welcoming. We got our pen and talked with her for a bit. We asked if we could take a picture with her and she enthusiastically agreed. She got the receptionist to take our picture. Everyone was smiling. Cindy gave us the biggest smile and walked to the door with us as we were leaving.

I’m writing this with a big smile on my face. Cindy has no super powers or magical selling techniques. She is a genuine human being who really enjoys other people and wants to be of service. The lasting impression she left is: the key to success as a sales person is to genuinely care about people and understand what they want, everything else is a consequence.

To your success!

Image by Mathieu Struck

Wednesday is usually our day to see our friends. We meet for lunch or coffee, depending on the mood and time of the collective. We met at a pub and spent a couple of hours eating and chatting.

I laugh more on Wednesdays than any other day of the week. Our friends are of various backgrounds, age, experience and skills. Yet well all share the bond of friendship.

“Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.”
- Anais Nin

We have a common interest in being good friends. I know that my life is richer, more interesting and more meaningful because of the people I’m proud to call my friends. Each one of them will be there for us, if we ever need help. And I’m sure they know we are there for them. It is an effortless connection. This is when you know that it is the real deal. No one is trying too hard or attempting to force a bond. It just happens naturally over time.

Every human connection can be tested in rough times and friendships are no exception. But the challenges can be a true testament to how strong the relationship is. The true measure of a good friend is someone who is willing to put up with our own shortcomings but point them out to us at the same time. We grow and get closer to our true essence with the help of friends.

To all my friends: thank you for being in our lives, thank you for supporting us and more importantly for allowing us to be and grow. We love you.

“When you can do the common things of life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world.”
- George Washington Carver

Today was another brilliant day. It is incredible how much a good night sleep can improve one’s mood. I woke up rested and relaxed. The sunny skies and warmth were energizing and uplifting.

The star of everyday life
One of the highlights of today was a visit to Safeway. We were lucky to be checked out by Shirley. The mere thought of her makes me smile. Shirley is a cashier in her sixties. She has been working at Safeway for decades. She has managed to memorize every customer’s name who frequents the store. She greets you with a smile and says: how are you today Ms. or Mr. so and so.

I have yet to see someone who passes by Shirley and doesn’t smile. She is not a celebrity admired by millions. But she is definitely a star that brightens the skies of so many people who are lucky enough to meet her. I absolutely love this woman. Maybe one day I will have the guts to ask Shirley if I can take her picture. If I do, I will post it here.

It maybe a cliché that it’s not the WHAT, it’s the HOW; but it is a very powerful one. Shirley doesn’t look at her job as unimportant and tedious. She gets a chance to interact with people and does her utmost to be the best without taking herself too seriously. She is always smiling and joking (an added bonus).

Can I be a Shirley? Can you? I think we all can if we have the desire to try.

Money matters
Every morning I spend about an hour reading part of SECURITY ANALYSIS. It is a true classic when it comes to investing. The book is huge but worth every minute. The advice is timeless and more relevant today than ever. The more I read, the better I feel about the challenges of the stock market.

Benjamin Graham (one of the authors of the book) is the mentor of the one and only Warren Buffett. Enough said!

The most appealing thing about Buffett is not his wealth, but his passion and focus on what he loves the most. Are you doing what you’re passionate about?