Have you ever come across the idea — that it’s far better to create rather than to simply compete? It’s a powerful thought. Because competition, by definition, often assumes a limited pie. Winners. Losers. Someone up. Someone down. Creation, on the other hand, opens doors. It expands possibilities. It allows everyone involved to win.
When we create something new — a business, a solution, a relationship, a product, a path forward — we’re not trying to beat someone else. We’re adding value. We’re making the world a little bigger, a little better, a little more abundant. That mindset shift alone can completely change how we approach challenges in life and work.
Think about some of the most impactful ideas in America. Apple didn’t win by out-competing existing phone makers — they created an entirely new way to interact with technology. Southwest Airlines didn’t try to beat legacy carriers at their own game — they created a new category built around simplicity, affordability, and fun. Creation opened space where competition didn’t even exist yet.
You see this same principle at the local level too. An entrepreneur who opens a new café isn’t stealing customers — they’re creating a gathering place. A teacher who designs a new program isn’t competing with colleagues — they’re creating opportunity for students. A community that launches a new festival or tradition isn’t outdoing the next town — it’s creating joy and connection.
America has always been at its best when we choose to create. To build. To imagine. To see possibility where others see limits. So this week, let’s lean into that idea. Let’s be creators — of ideas, solutions, conversations, and opportunities. Because when we create, everyone has the chance to win.
