Comparison is a Dangerous Game
For this week I wanted to touch upon the topic of 'Comparison'. I am sure you've sometimes found yourself trapped in the comparison game where everyone around you seems to be doing incredible things while you are scrambling to put together a reasonable piece of content and post consistently.
Let me share some of the feelings I've felt over the years-
- I am so far behind
- This is an impossible task and I am never going to make it
- When will I to get this stage
- I wish, I had x no. of followers
- I wish I would sell out in minutes like xyz does
- I wish I was as good
- Everyone around me is doing so much
- I am not seeing any change in my metrics. It's so frustrating!
- May be this isn't meant for me
And all this accomplished, was a sense of doom and gloom- it's never gonna happen for me! I'll take me ages before I get there, if at all!
I convinced myself of this without even making an effort. I declared myself a failure even before trying. Did this mindset change my circumstances? I believe you already know the answer to that.
The thing that actually changed my life was TAKING ACTION-doing something about how I was feeling by going after the things I wanted for myself and my business! It was still scary, it was still uncertain but I think I felt better about it than I did before. This 'scary' was better than 'hopeless scary', this uncertainty was definitely better than 'I am a failure' certainty.
I chose to focus on the things that I could control. It took time, but I could see the change- in my metrics, in my mindset, in my life.
It helped me to bring the focus back on me- where I started and where I am. Even if it's just a change in how I think.
Remember, we create our dream life twice-
once in our mind and then in reality.
We are all unique in that we all come from different backgrounds, circumstances, and life experiences. Our efforts and reactions to situations are different, and all of these things shape our journey and progress in life.
Now here's a little exercise for you- When you feel yourself getting caught up in the comparison game, why not try asking yourself these questions instead?
- What are they doing that's helping them grow so fast?
- What can I learn and implement from what they are doing?
- If they can do it, may be so can I!
It's a small shift in perspective, but it can make a big difference. It shows what's possible for you, it's an opportunity to learn from them, their mistakes, their opportunities.
Another helpful strategy is to surround yourself with individuals who are on a similar journey. They can offer encouragement, lend a hand when you need it, and share their experiences so you know that you're not alone in experiencing these emotions.
In the end, I would say, focus on your journey, look for improvements in your work and your processes. And know that
if someone else has been able to do it, it just means you may be next!
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