Just Do It: Six Strategies for Beating Your Competition

by Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com Editor

You've trained for years. You have blown out the non-contenders, suffered a setback now and then and squeaked past some solid competitors. This is something you dreamed of as a rookie, and now you're a full-fledged vet, in the running to win it all.

No, you're not facing the Miami Heat or the San Antonio Spurs as thousands chant your name from the stands. Instead, you have reached a critical point in your career: The point where your competition for the next level becomes more of a challenge of politics and performance.

There comes a time when you are vying for a coveted spot or a long-awaited promotion. If you want to come out a winner, you have to spend some time assessing your competition to develop a game plan that ensures success. Here's good advice from some of the best in the field:

"Sports do not build character. They reveal it." -- John Wooden, American Basketball Coach

When you are vying for the next level of achievement, consider the character of the competitors in your organization. Do they fight fair? What's their game plan? To effectively compete, you have to assess what you're up against and adjust your performance accordingly. But remember, those who rise to the top are usually those who demonstrate good character, hard work and fair sportsmanship.

"I always know what's happening on the court. I see a situation occur, and I respond." -- Larry Bird

To compete effectively, you have to know what's going on in every aspect of your business. Don't just focus on your immediate zone. See the big picture and make sure you and your team are ready to perform in every area by networking beyond your immediate territory. Be aware of your competitors' strengths and take note of how and with whom they are networking to make a play. Watch for external forces that may affect the game.

"Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships." -- Michael Jordan

In basketball there's a strategy called "getting a pick" where an offensive player can take a shot while a teammate cuts off the opponent most likely to block it. You may be a superstar in your own right, but when you get to this level, you'll get nowhere without your team. Recruit and cultivate the best and brightest for your team, because in the end, the best team will win.

"In sports, mental imagery is used primarily to help you get the best out of yourself in training and competition. The developing athletes who make the fastest progress and those who ultimately become their best make extensive use of mental imagery." -- Terry Orlick, American Peak Performance Expert, Trainer, Author

Those who get the jump ball are the ones who can see their fingers on the ball before the whistle blows. Orlick says the best athletes use mental imagery "daily as a means of directing what will happen in training and as a way of pre-experiencing their best competition performances." Have a vision for yourself and your team. Communicate that vision and so that it becomes reality for your team before the game even starts.

"Some people want it to happen; some wish it would happen; others make it happen." -- Michael Jordan

No other quality will help you get to the top better or faster than delivering results. In basketball, the results are readily visible on the scoreboard. In business, make sure your results are known to the right people. Promote your personal and team wins to those who influence your career path.

"What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals." -- Zig Ziglar, Author and Motivational Speaker

Fans often say they love college sports because it's not really about money or sponsorships – it's about the game. If your team believes it's all about you, they will not be motivated to fulfill your mission. Instead of focusing on individual rewards of money and advancement, you'll have better success if you focus on the achievement, your and your team's personal and professional growth, and the thrill of the competition.

Kate Lorenz is the article and advice editor for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Other writers contributed to this article.