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Competition in the Christian Blogosphere

Posted by John Saddington on Feb 25, 2009

competitionOne of the best pieces of advice that I’ve received as of late is from a good friend whom I work with who’s decided to take it all down for a time and get back to the “basics” of what really matters.

He mentioned to me that, in terms of blogging and competition, it simply “doesn’t matter what others are doing.”

Very very very true.

It matters what I am doing. Am I making the most of the blogging-thing. Do I have the right mindset, framework, attitude, and motivation. Because I can’t control what others are thinking, saying, doing, or even their particular motivations for doing such.

Now, there is definitely some wisdom in having counsel, collaboration, and synergy between us bloggers, but in terms of simply “competition” it’s completely bogus.

Apparently some others that I trust and respect hold the exact same attitude:

People sometimes ask us how much we look at the competition. The answer: not much. We can’t control what they do. We can control what we do. So we focus on that.

That’s it. If you make something good and fresh, what everyone else is doing becomes unimportant.

The best part of this approach: It liberates you. You don’t have to obsess over others. You only worry about what you can control which helps keep you sane.

The emphasis was added by me.

I think this particular mindset liberates us so that we can be as creative, as useful, as effective as God wants and intends us to be online. I think that’s a good thing.

What are your thoughts?

[Image from Martynr]

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John Saddington

John is the Chief Editor @ The 8BIT Network and Senior Blog Junkie here at ChurchCrunch.He enjoys Triple-Tall Americanos, developing Wordpress Themes, and a few other Random Things.

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17 Responses to “Competition in the Christian Blogosphere”

  1. Johnny Leckie
    Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 5:05 pm

    This reminds me of some verses I read just yesterday:

    Galatians 6:4-5
    4 Be sure to do what you should, for then you will enjoy the personal satisfaction of having done your work well, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else. 5 For we are each responsible for our own conduct. (NLT)

    Reply
  2. Christian Web Trends
    Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 5:17 pm

    John, for the most part I agree. However, I also think we can learn a lot from what others are doing. I might have some good ideas, but there are lots of other people who have good ideas too. Some better than mine. Some I would have never thought off.

    I do think there is danger in viewing others as competitors, though. When it comes to blogging competition is kind of silly and counter to the whole concept. When bloggers coment, link, and post to each others posts everyone wins. Its about sharing and refining ideas.

    - Paul

    Reply
    • human3rror
      Saturday, February 28, 2009 at 4:38 pm

      yes. thinknig of it as competition can never be healthy.

      Reply
  3. Ancoti
    Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 5:27 pm

    Reminds me of Matthew 6:5 where Jesus warns about hypocrites praying so as to be seen by men; and getting their full reward as a result.

    If you are doing this for the competition, to be seen by others and seen as better than others, you are in for disappointment. The victory will be hollow, for that is how it will leave you feeling inside.

    Reply
    • human3rror
      Saturday, February 28, 2009 at 4:37 pm

      hollowness is my homeboi.

      Reply
  4. Kevin_Martineau
    Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 5:50 pm

    "It matters what I am doing. Am I making the most of the blogging-thing. Do I have the right mindset, framework, attitude, and motivation. Because I can’t control what others are thinking, saying, doing, or even their particular motivations for doing such." Well said! :) This HAS to be my perspective in blogging.

    Reply
    • human3rror
      Saturday, February 28, 2009 at 4:36 pm

      ;) it took a long time kevin… long time for me.

      Reply
  5. Aaron
    Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 6:04 pm

    I'm thinking he's just taking a break for Lent. He'll be back after Easter. ;)

    And yes, you're right. So many of us get wrapped up in our own egos and have a hard time unplugging. Taking a break can be a liberating way of resetting, returning to the basics and finding your focus.

    Reply
    • human3rror
      Saturday, February 28, 2009 at 4:34 pm

      ;)

      who told you?

      Reply
      • Aaron
        Saturday, February 28, 2009 at 4:40 pm

        The Holy Spirit. :P

        Reply
  6. Phillip Gibb
    Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 8:37 pm

    Isn't always about being the best?
    Measured by just how popular you are? What's that? the number of subscribers or the sitemeter?
    oh
    no?
    Well I have to be honest, I am striving to do many things, and one of them is to be better at blogging, and yes I am a Christian blogger, and yes I do frequent (what I think to be the best Christian blogs) to engage as well as to be known.
    for what purpose?
    to validate my blog?
    no, aaaand agg ok – yes,
    to be more effective in reaching out there
    big yes,
    and unfortunately the only way I know just how effective I am is that stupid stats graph,
    arrrg, if if would just catch a wake up sometimes.
    I am just so competitive by nature
    nuf said

    Reply
  7. davidnorman
    Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 3:03 am

    learning and being influenced is one thing, and that's never wrong. copying, coveting, and blasting is always wrong

    Reply
    • human3rror
      Saturday, February 28, 2009 at 4:32 pm

      right on. thanks for the reminder.

      Reply
  8. Jim
    Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 5:32 am

    I am fiercely competitive by nature.And I must fight it to keep clarity at times.It's a daily prayer of mine to be self-controlled and alert.

    Reply
    • human3rror
      Saturday, February 28, 2009 at 3:37 pm

      yeah. god has helped me with that… i still battle with it though.

      Reply
  9. human3rror
    Saturday, February 28, 2009 at 4:33 pm

    dude. speaking to me.

    Reply