“Losers focus on winners. Winners focus on winning.”
In 2017, it has become even more difficult to prevent self-comparison. Shoved in your face are the hottest “it girls,” tantalizing beach trips, pictures of silky new cars, and other people’s successes… All before you even get out of bed in the morning.
Here’s the thing though- you cannot paralyze yourself with inferiority or you will never accomplish anything yourself. Throwing a pity party before you even start your day will never help you achieve your personal goals or provide you a sense of self worth. I have started thinking of this as “staying in my own lane.” Before I check social media, I get my day going.
Things that make me happy in the morning & feel motivated: a cup of coffee, a run, a big breakfast full of nutrients, a hot shower, a to do list. I pick a few of these and start my day slowly. Throughout the day, I check my social media but I also check myself. Am I feeling down because so & so just got their law degree and I wish I had one? Am I feeling down because I don’t have the hottest new handbag? Let’s be honest- this has happened to every single one of us. Cool. Feeling acknowledged- Now let’s cue some Drake and get back to work?
Once I have noticed that social media has killed my mood, it’s important to remind myself of my own goals and how I plan to achieve them. Whether it’s chiseling the perfect six pack, acing the GRE, or getting up an hour before your kiddos do- remind yourself that no one else has any control over whether you accomplish this or not. STAY.IN.YOUR.LANE. And do a little less stalking and little more work today. Or something else that makes you happy and adds value to your life. If you got hit by a bus tomorrow (you’ll hear me say this a lot), would you be happy you spent hours comparing yourself to others? What would you rather have spent that time on? Let yourself actually think about that question and maybe we can do a little less creeping and a little more reaping? Bad attempt at a rhyme. The moral of this story is that “stalking” and comparison is a waste of time & energy.
Unfortunately, self-comparison isn’t limited to social media platforms. Maybe you just went to lunch with friends and found yourself coveting their swanky marketing job or new engagement ring. Again, it’s ok to feel these things- we all do. But dwelling on them isn’t constructive. On top of this- have you ever found yourself jealous and then thought: “wait! I don’t really want to be a lawyer- why am I jealous?” If you keep your end game in sight { staying in your lane } you can skip the negativity and put your time into what matters to you.
“Self comparison is the thief of joy.” …. And your goals.
See by,
Antigone