Take a minute and think about your favorite brand.

It could be your favorite brand of shoes, phone, laptop, whatever. Now I want you to think about what made them so successful. Was it the product design, packaging, manufacturer or overall marketing? Realistically, it was a combination of all of those things.

Great brands—brands that last a lifetime—aren’t built from just one definitive aspect. No, they are a cumulative result of a team effort. Great brands are a collaboration of great minds that came together to create something truly valuable.

Steve Jobs couldn’t have built Apple to be what it is today without his amazing team. So, here are a few good reasons why more entrepreneurs should choose collaboration over competition.

Why Collaboration Wins Every Time

Let me tell you a quick story.

When I first started out in business I felt lonely, scared and overwhelmed. I was working 16 hour days and began feeling resentful of my own business. I knew there had to be another way.

After a serious coming to Jesus moment with myself, I felt a pull towards something better, something filled with purpose. I never had a competitive spirit, but I also didn’t realize the value in asking for help. There is value in allowing others to let their greatest gifts shine, in spite of my areas of struggle. Together you can produce something amazing.

As soon as I chose to let go of competition everything started to fall into place. I was able to focus on my strengths. Those creative juices began to flow and I gained back those precious hours I had lost by attempting to do everything by myself.

So, what can you do to start benefiting from this collaborative mentality?

1. Enjoy a sense of belonging.

Feeling isolated and alone will not benefit your business. In fact, it will breed resentment and prevent you from achieving your true potential.

By embracing collaboration you enter into a community of support, value and enrichment. Your morale will soar and in turn, your success will skyrocket.

2. Creativity will multiply.

Two heads are better than one, right?! When you live and breathe collaboration amazing ideas come to life because you are surrounding yourself with new perspectives.

Good ideas become great and great ideas become million dollar businesses. Why? Because you are allowing each person to bring forward their unique talents and strengths and resistance falls by the wayside. You get to focus.

3. Focus on your strengths.

Part of collaboration is accepting your weaknesses. You are not going to be the best at everything, so why not focus on what you are great at instead? Collaboration allows you to outsource your weaknesses, focus on your strengths and come together to create a masterpiece.

Let me tell you! When you put all of your time and energy into your strengths, great things will start to happen. My belief is that we can all win. When we release the concept of unproductive competition and come together to support one another by leveraging our greatest strengths, we enrich the lives of others and in the process enrich our own.

You can in fact have it all without having to be or do it all. Simply by embracing collaboration! So, can I ask you something?

What is holding you back from creating a business and life you love? Is it competition over collaboration?

This article has been edited and condensed.

If you’re ready to embrace collaboration then I would love for you to join our LIVE virtual #Collaborich Conference, a place for us all to thrive (together).

Stephanie Nickolich, founder of the #Collaborich Conference (a.k.a. ‘The Millionista Mentor’), is a doubt crushing, confidence creating, cash catapulting success strategist, that teaches female coaches how to shift their money mindsets, capitalize on their greatest strengths and create solid strategies for success. Stephanie’s fun, outspoken style has garnered nationwide acclaim and appearances in media outlets such as Good Day Austin, Twin Cities Live, Hustle & Heart TV, Empowering Women Radio, The Brave Entrepreneur, Mentoring Women’s Network, and a finalist on Dream Big America. Connect with @styleyoursucces on Twitter and Facebook.

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