The Fiercest Competitor

Competition; “an activity done by a number of people or organizations, each of which is trying to do better than all of the others” (Cambridge Online Dictionary).  If you are working in any artistic capacity – and also share this perception of the term “competition” – you have likely come to the chilling realization that the competition is fierce.  In the photography circle everyone is often trying to book the most weddings, work for the most reputable brands, or have their work gracing the most magazine pages in the area.  Models, we frequently check to see who is signed with the most reputable agency, who has participated in the most ads, or who has had the honor of walking the most prestigious runways.  Musicians, do you find yourself competing with other artists to see who sells out their concerts the fastest? Who has the widest fan base? Or how about who gets to perform at the most desirable locations?  Today I want to challenge everyone to adopt an entirely new perception of what competition should be.

The very meaning of “competition” is one organism striving to be better in some way, shape, or form than another.  One being attempting to secure more resources, achieve more things, or become better at something than another.  This is an inalterable meaning of the word, but what if we were to reframe our thinking in this manner…

What if we were to consider our greatest competitor, our fiercest rival, our most threatening opponent…to be our own self?

Model: Ashley BeLoat – IG: @ashleybeloat
Photographer: Dan Mahar – IG: @dan_mahar_imagery
Dress Design: Aziza by Yong Lin – www.yonglinbridal.com – IG: @yonglinbridal
Hair & Makeup Artistry: Fidel Gomez Jr. – IG: @officialfidel
Studio: Melrose Center – IG: @melroseorlando
What would be the benefits of molding our perspectives this way?  Some may argue it would cease to motivate us to strive for more, as the field of opponents would dwindle from hundreds – or thousands – to one.  Others may think it would be less satisfying to measure each success.  But I, on the other hand, argue it is the most effective, motivating, and strangely satisfying methods of thinking. If you believe yourself to be the only thing you must continue to exceed, you will never outrun or entirely defeat your competitor. Every day will bring a new weakness you must strengthen, goal to achieve, and unfamiliar realm to explore.

The reason I feel this perspective is crucial in an art-based field, is for the inescapable fact that art is entirely subjective. The goal of art is to be unique and different. Our never-ending task is to create something that has never been created before.  When we begin to chase success by chasing the tails of others, we allow our work to be influenced by the achievements and creative pathways of our rivals.  It’s a maddening game to keep up with — or remain a step ahead of — someone else when you should both be maturing more and more into your own unique selves.  It isn’t impossible to artistically mature in this way, but it is frequently more frustrating and less efficient.

Model: Ashley BeLoat – IG: @ashleybeloat
Photographer: Dan Mahar – IG: @dan_mahar_imagery
Dress Design: Aziza by Yong Lin – www.yonglinbridal.com – IG: @yonglinbridal
Hair & Makeup Artistry: Fidel Gomez Jr. – IG: @officialfidel
Studio: Melrose Center – IG: @melroseorlando

When the only focus is your own work there will always be new limits to push.  There will never be a time you can relax because of surpassing the standard you want to reach. Even if you succeed in exceeding yourself today, you will be given the challenge of doing so again tomorrow.

I want to encourage everyone to never stop wanting to achieve. No matter where you are, strive for more. No matter how many hurdles you’ve jumped, continue raising the bar higher.  And above all else, measure your progress today against where you were yesterday.  Do these things and you will find yourself on the focused road towards personal and professional growth.

 

— Ashley BeLoat

Model: Ashley BeLoat – IG: @ashleybeloat
Photographer: Dan Mahar – IG: @dan_mahar_imagery
Dress Design: Aziza by Yong Lin – www.yonglinbridal.com – IG: @yonglinbridal
Hair & Makeup Artistry: Fidel Gomez Jr. – IG: @officialfidel
Studio: Melrose Center – IG: @melroseorlando