A lot of people struggle with jealousy when they see someone doing something similar to what they do, especially when that someone is seemingly more successful. It causes very uneasy and unpleasant emotions to rise up (which come from the underlying thinking that someone else’s success is keeping us from our own).
Many of my clients have been concerned with others “copying ideas” or out-right using some of their very words or phrases without citing the reference (of course there could be legal copyright issues there).
The truth is, in general, you will see peeps everywhere using very close to the same ideas, doing very similar work, and at times getting as close to copying as they legally can (which is not good and most often unethical), but unless they are taking legally protected, copyrighted, or trademarked work, or copying more than a few words, word-for-word, you cannot stop it. General ideas are all around us, and people will access these ideas, and play off of these ideas. “There is nothing new under the sun” said Solomon!
Then there are those ideas, words, and phrases that no one owns or can own, even if they use them all the time. Common phrases and ideas are just that-common! We can stay all caught up, tense, angry, focused on the negative, ineffective, stuck, or we can be forward moving. We only have two choices about something that is always around us and a fact of human existence.
So, let me help you when you see someone whose ideas are really close to yours, and they are not “legally” copying you (but they are coming rather close). Just DECIDE to change your mindset about it or you’ll go nuts, and you will hinder your own success. Think of your work as a flavor in a niche!
I like to think of it this way. You may frequent 10 restaurants, but they all serve different food. Even two hamburger joints are never the same, and still, sometimes you want an In-and-Out burger, other times you have a hankerin’ for some Fuddruckers! You may like them both. You may frequent them both, or some people may like one and avoid the other. It’s all good. They both manage to stay in business!
Or take another example… clothing stores. There are thousands of them. I personally shop at a number of clothing stores. I get what I need for different occasions of my life from the appropriate store, so no need for one store to freak out over the other.
Bottom line, stay positive. Don’t get caught in that jealousy muck. Do not resist what you cannot change (actually, don’t resist much of anything), instead be open and let your own creative thinking have a place to flow (don’t block creative thinking by letting negativity hang around).
In life, ministry, and in business, we all bring our unique selves to the table, and we all have a message that will strike a nerve with a particular person or potential client at a particular stage or moment in their life.
We all have a “flavor” if you will, a “Gift of Brilliance” that is uniquely ours. Even if we seemingly sell the same thing, that “flavor” or “Gift of Brilliance” is the clear difference. It is the deciding factor for people based on where they are at in their lives.
Let your “Gift of Brilliance” authentically represent in truth who you are in your work, and you will draw the right people and the most ideal clients right to you. With that, you will also work directly in a zone of flow where you are spot on and truly creative and effective.
No need to trip out or allow jealousy a place in your heart and mind. At the end of the day, your client wants YOU at a particular time in their life, and that is why they buy!
Life is too short to be jealous or to get into negative energy over what other people are doing–even when they seemingly are doing what we are doing. No matter what we say or how we react, we cannot stop the “copycats”, or the ferocious go-getters, so we may as well just stay in right thinking and focus on the amazing value we ourselves have to offer by being who we truly are. Also know that many “copycats” means there is a market for that product or service. Find a way to use your “Gift of Brilliance” to make yours splendorously appealing!
To Your Brilliant Success,
Margo
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it with others & spreading some love! Margo DeGange, M.Ed. is a Business & Lifestyle Designer whose mission is to empower you to live & work ON PURPOSE: To fully prosper and significantly impact the lives of others. Margo will help you get crystal clear so you can connect powerfully, embrace RIGHT opportunities, and take focused-action towards your financial abundance & lifestyle success!
Ugh, there is nothing worst than seeing “your idea” on someone else’s website. I try to look at this at flattery and know that I must be doing something right if everyone else wants to do it as well. I think there is a fine between copying and having a similar idea. If content and products are exactly the same, then I think it is important to copyright/trademark as much as possible to draw boundaries for original ideas.
I agree with you most that “Life is too short to be jealous or to get into negative energy over what other people are doing–even when they seemingly are doing what we are doing.”
Charlotte, thanks for your input on this important topic.
I see the need for allowing part of your budget for copyright protection, trademarks and service marks for information that is clearly yours and clearly proprietary. You must protect that.
Then there is the common copying so many of us wish we could stop, but we can’t. That is when you have to let it go, and focus your energy on your own growth and development. No sense getting sidetracked with something no one (not even the law) can prove or do anything about!
I am so glad you stopped by and shared.
Hugs,
Margo
Margo DeGange recently posted..Become a Certified Interior Environment Coach©!
Margo, I appreciate you covering the mindset part of copying. Sure there are the legal issues that have to be addressed when appropriate. There is also the case that sometimes it’s not worth spending precious mental energy when we have so much more to accomplish including paving the way for our brilliance to shine.
Nadine Nicholson recently posted..The exact moment of my business start up
Nadine, you have a wonderful way with words!
Really, it IS about knowing when and when not to, as you stated, “spend precious mental energy” on things that will take us off focus from our brilliance! YES, this post is totally about mindset. You nailed it!
Thank you for sharing.
Big Hugs!
Margo
Margo DeGange, M.Ed. recently posted..Become a Certified Interior Environment Coach©!
I agree … and disagree Margo. Yes, copying happens. Yes, there’s not a lot of new information, which is likely why there seems to be a lot of copying, and it’s amplified within our own industry – after all, that’s where our attention is, right? And I completely agree that we bring our own flavor and uniqueness to our work that makes us different – great examples you gave.
Where I disagree is in NOT addressing blatant copying. “Just because everyone is doing it doesn’t make it right”. I believe that when we don’t take a stand when something isn’t right, it’s like giving silent permission to keep doing it.
Most often copying happens under the radar – meaning, you like a phrase or a topic or an idea and your subconscious rolls it around in your head and recreates it in your own copy or talk. What I’m talking about here is the conscious stealing of ideas or intellectual property, especially when it comes from people you know and trust. It’s a total integrity issue and it begs to be addressed … and then let it go.
I’m pretty sure you’re not saying copying is okay.:) Just pointing out the ‘other side’ of the conversation. Stepping off my soap box now.
Miki xo
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Hi Miki,
Thanks so much for your comments and insights.
I do think you misunderstood my post. In no way am I saying to NOT address blatant copying, and I did not state that because everyone is doing it, it’s OK! That would never be my stance. I personally have a great deal of copyrighted materials, and I spent a lot of money on applying for trademarks and service marks, so no, blatant copying is wrong and I highly disapprove. That is why I stated that there can be legal copyright issues involved in some instances. I personally would hold anyone accountable who stole my writings and/or abused my copyright.
What I AM saying here is that we cannot stop anyone from using general terms and general ideas that are out there, and to let that bother us, and to allow it to distract us from our work, and keep us in a place of frustration and low energy, is counterproductive.
I see so much stress from people (enormous amounts) over sightings of information that is no one’s in the first place. For example, if I started using the term, BIG HUGS, which I do often, and suddenly I saw others use it over and over, I would be wasting my time to get upset. Another example is when lots of people talk about the importance of a tag line, or a mission statement, or creating a business vision. Again, common ideas.
In addition, words and phrases like “get sassy”, “wild success”, “online visibility”, “yummy clients”, “business coach for women” and such are common usage, yet I have seen people flip out over others using similar types of common usage terms.
My personal opinion is that we should try our best to be different and not use common terms in our marketing if we can help it, but if we do and we notice others using “our” common words, ideas, or phrases, we are totally wasting time to expend energy fretting about it. Really THAT was the premise of my post .
Clearly I do not–in any way, shape, or form–endorse or agree with outright copying, or the “conscious stealing of ideas or intellectual property”.
So YES, Miki, you can be sure I am not saying copying is okay!
Hugs!
Margo
Margo DeGange, M.Ed. recently posted..Joining a Think Tank or Mastermind? 12 Mindset Tips for Your Success!
What a beautiful reminder Margo, I love it. I agree, copycat cannot be avoided, and that’s why I say to my own clients: ‘Copycat is a compliment in disguise, if it was bad nobody would care’. So focus on how to better serve your clients and just don’t waste your energy on small matters.
We all can use the same information but we cannot deliver it the same way, and that is what makes the difference.
Christine Marmoy recently posted..Role Changing for a Better World…or Not?
Yes, that is precisely my point Christine, you said it so well:
“Focus on how to better serve your clients and just don’t waste your energy on small matters”.
Hugs!
Margo
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