A word heard a lot recently is competition. When there's less funding to go around, one can expect more competition for it. Still, today I feel a sense of mutual support and connection when speaking with colleagues, including researchers, those in government roles, and even students. The sentiments and energy are of support and caring – i.e., that we are all in this together.

It’s true that, in some ways, we may need to prepare ourselves for a more competitive landscape. However, I would like to consider an alternative: What would be the benefits of freeing oneself from a competitive mindset? I see a few that I’ll briefly share with you here.

First, it can help us relax. When we focus on competition, our bodies tense up and our minds do, too. It’s harder to think and we remain in a reactive mode. This is normal because of the challenges we’re facing, but it often leads to more stress and constriction. Free yourself, try to relax.

Second, freeing oneself from a competitive mindset lets us form more authentic connections. When we let our guard down and share our thoughts and knowledge with others, we feel more comfortable. Connections will be easier to make and sustain. It's conducive to collaboration, since you're sharing ideas with peers. Openness creates an environment in which innovation and creativity can thrive.

Third, when you relax a competitive mindset and place the idea of winning aside, you can focus more on learning. You will be more likely to take risks, allowing yourself to grow rather than fearing that one mistake will automatically put you behind the others.

Finally, when you are not feeling the pressure of competition, you can think more about your own goals. If you were facing a blue sky of opportunities, where would you take your research, and what would you be doing with your career? If some opportunities are closed to you now, you can still think about your contributions -- your research and goals -- without external influence, and this can be a valuable exercise.

Bottom line: You may be more likely to find enjoyment when you take a break from competitive thinking. Freedom from worrying about what others are doing allows you to fully be yourself and, in my experience, our best work is done when we're in that state.

The 4 Stages of Learning for Research Funding Success

I speak with faculty at all different career stages, and it’s fascinating to see how perspectives on the learning around research funding tend to shift over a career. Check out my video and consider which stage you are at now.

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