We have the innate drive to compare ourselves to others. It is just something humans do. We think about whether our grades are at the top of the class. We think about if we are going to get that promotion or not. When we look at social media, we consider whether we stack up against our peers. If we have the same type of lifestyle. If they have done “better” in their lives than we have. The truth is that this kind of comparison is actually quite destructive and bad for our self esteem and for our ability to actually reach our goals. Here is why you should stop comparing yourself to others.
We Don’t See The Full Picture
One of the biggest reasons why you shouldn’t compare yourself to others is that you aren’t seeing the full picture. You don’t get to see how other people compete and fail. You don’t get to see how they struggle. And even when they are successful, you don’t see the path that they took to get to where they are. Because you don’t see the full picture, you are not really judging yourself against them. You are looking at an idealized picture of them that doesn’t really exist. Don’t let that false picture ruin your self image!
Focus On Your Own Version Of Success
Your version of success is what matters most. You are the one who has to look at yourself in the mirror at night. If you are not comfortable with where you are at, you can work to change your situation. But you have to have a vision of what success means to you. And it can’t be someone else’s version of success. What makes someone else happy might not make you happy.
Remember Your Journey Is Unique
Your journey is going to be different than everyone else’s. You are your own, unique person. It means that you need to be able to be comfortable without the approval of others. Other people might not approve of your definition of success. That doesn’t matter! Be happy for yourself and focus on what you want to accomplish. Your journey is unique and you should be proud of that fact.
You don’t have to compare yourself to other people. You don’t have to think that their version of success is right for you. And remember, you aren’t seeing the full story! You are only seeing bits and pieces of what they are going through. Even the most successful people that you know have difficult times that they aren’t telling you about. There is plenty that you don’t know. So stop comparing yourself to them. Stop playing a game that you can’t win, by design. Instead, start focusing on being the best possible version of yourself. You’ll be glad that you did.