The Great Comparison Trap
It is high time we stop measuring and just start living.
It’s time to drop the comparison game.
Ever found yourself playing the comparison game?
I sure have.
It’s a bad habit that we don’t realize we’re indulging in.
We see someone’s flashy car or their “perfect” job and suddenly, our own life seems a few shades duller.
I remember looking at my friend’s Instagram-perfect life and feeling like a B-movie actor in comparison.
Truthfully though, comparing our backstage chaos to someone else’s highlight reel is a fast track to Miseryville.
Why the Comparison Game is a Losing One
Why, do I say this? Simple:
1. Unfair Comparisons
Ever tried comparing your blooper reel to someone else’s Oscar-worthy moments?
It’s like comparing apples to spacecraft.
We often pit our weaknesses against others’ strengths, setting ourselves up for a confidence nosedive.
2. Ego Trips and Pitfalls
Winning the comparison game might give your ego a temporary high, but it’s as stable as a house of cards in a windstorm.
And when we don’t win?
Hello, Resentment City.
3. The Downward Spiral
Criticizing others to boost ourselves or oversharing our achievements can turn us into the kind of people others avoid. It’s a lonely road, paved with hollow victories.
How I Broke Free from Comparing Myself to Others
99% of the time when I compared, I lost out.
Bad feelings all round.
Life, work, or working on being a founder is not meant to feel like this.
Here’s how I become cool with being a pea out of the pod:
Tip 1: Spot the Habit
The first step in kicking this habit is to catch yourself in the act. It’s like mindfulness but for your self-esteem. Notice when you’re comparing and gently steer your brain elsewhere.
Tip 2: Count Your Wins
Instead of fixating on what you lack, try focusing on what you’ve got. I started listing down my small victories and blessings daily. You know what? It turns out I’m pretty darn lucky.
Tip 3: Play to Your Strengths
We all have our superpowers. Mine isn’t making viral videos or drawing like a pro, but I can write a post that resonates. Celebrate your strengths, not your lack of someone else’s.
Tip 4: Embrace Your Flaws
Perfection is a myth. Once I accepted that I’m a perfectly imperfect human (just like everyone else), life got a whole lot lighter.
Tip 5: Avoid the Tear-Down Trap
Criticizing others might feel good momentarily, but it’s like eating junk food — it leaves you feeling worse in the long run. Building people up? That’s the real soul food.
Tip 6: It’s About the Journey
Life isn’t a scoreboard. It’s a path we walk, with our own set of milestones. Focus on your journey, your growth, your path.
Tip 7: Find Contentment in ‘Enough’
The endless pursuit of more can leave you feeling perpetually empty. Recognize when you have enough — because, more often than not, you already do.
Turning Comparison into Compassion
Bernard Grasset said, “To love is to stop comparing.”
When we drop the comparison habit, we open the door to genuine connections, both with ourselves and others.
We start appreciating people for who they are, not for what they have or how they stack up against us.
We cultivate compassion instead of competition.
Final Words
In the business world and life, being authentically you is your greatest asset.
It’s what sets you apart in a sea of sameness.
Once I stopped comparing and started appreciating my unique mix of quirks, skills, and experiences, not only did I find contentment, but I also found my unique place in the world.
You have your own journey, your own stories, your own brand of magic — and that, my friends, is where your true power lies.
So, go ahead, embrace your unique self and watch how your world changes.
Thank you for reading!
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