Stop Comparing Yourself - Part 1
You are an original. I want you to work on accepting that fact every day. As an original, understand that even though there are a lot of people in the world, you don’t need to try to be anyone else.
Today and next Monday, we will focus on learning how to stop comparing ourselves with other people. People may say they don’t compare themselves but almost everybody compares themselves. Comparing yourself with someone else to learn is okay. But most people are not learning, they are trying to compete.
I’ve come to accept that comparison is a bad habit if you we’re engaged in it. It can affect every aspect of your life. Even on this Valentine’s Day, don’t mess up this day by comparing your relationship with anybody else’s relationship.
You are loved. Understand and appreciate the first and most important form of love is self-love. Now let’s get back into this comparison subject matter.
Here’s what I know about comparison:
1. COMPARISONS ARE ALWAYS UNFAIR. We typically compare the worst we know of ourselves to the best we presume about others.
2. COMPARISONS ROB US OF PRECIOUS TIME. We each get 86,400 seconds each day. Using even one to compare yourself or your accomplishments to another is one second too many.
3. YOU ARE TOO UNIQUE TO COMPARE FAIRLY. Your gifts, talents, successes, contributions, and value are entirely unique to you and your purpose in this world. They can never be properly compared to anyone else.
4. YOU HAVE NOTHING TO GAIN, BUT MUCH TO LOSE. Examples of what you can lose: your pride, your dignity, your drive, and your passion.
5. THERE IS NO END TO THE POSSIBLE NUMBER OF COMPARISONS. The habit can never be overcome by attaining success. There will also be something—or someone—else to focus on.
6. COMPARISON PUTS FOCUS ON THE WRONG PERSON. You can control only one life—yours. But when we constantly compare ourselves to others, we waste precious energy focusing on other peoples’ lives rather than our own.
7. COMPARISONS OFTEN RESULT IN RESENTMENT. Resentment towards others and towards ourselves.
8. COMPARISONS DEPRIVE US OF JOY. They add no value, meaning, or fulfillment to our lives. They only distract from it.
With so many negative effects inherent in comparison, it is a shame we ever take part in it. But the struggle is real for most of us. Fortunately, it does not need to be. And the freedom found in comparing less is entirely worth the effort.
Practice gratitude. Gratitude for your own strengths, talent, goals, and desires. You have more than you believe you do! Stop comparing yourself to everyone else’s highlight reels.
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” - Psalm 139:13-14
Say it with me: I AM FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE!
If you want to be different, you can make a change. This week will be our Re-invent Yourself Webinar. It's not too late register! Learn more and register here.
