Yeah, the competition can be intimidating, no arguments there. A thing that helps me keep it in perspective is to understand that some artists are seasoned veterans and you just can't compete with that except by working more. When I compare my work to an artist whose books I read when I was a kid, and who is still on the job, well, their experience is definitely shows.
Strategies:
a) don't compare yourself to the dreck of the industry, always compete to be better than the best.
b) draw a lot, from life preferably, as much as possible.
c) study every different type of drawing and art technique you can, because it all adds up to make the unique artist that you will become.
d) 80% of success lies in showing up