Why You Shouldn’t Compare Yourself To Others

We’ve all done it – compared ourselves to others. “Her hair is prettier, his classroom is more organised, their house is bigger, her students are more engaged, his life is more fulfilled…” The comparison trap is something that we have a tendency towards, both in life and in teaching. But here’s the thing – it is a comparison TRAP. You’ll get stuck. You’ll stop moving forward. Comparison is deadly.

Here’s 3 reasons why you shouldn’t compare yourself to others:

1. Comparison tells lies.

Measures your ‘inside’ with someone else’s ‘outside’.

When you compare yourself to someone else, you are typically comparing what’s going on inside you (your mind, heart, emotions) to what’s going on outside them (their achievements, their accomplishments, their actions). This is not only unhelpful, it’s completely inaccurate. This kind of comparison will lie to you – it’s like comparing apples with oranges – two completely different things that should not be compared to each other.

Action step: Be proud of what you’re achieving and celebrate the little steps.

2. Comparison blurs perspective.

Causes you to think you have less and that others have more.

When you compare yourself to someone else, your perspective is challenged. Comparison causes you to think that you have less than you actually do, and that others have more than they actually do. Comparison blurs your perspective. It confuses how you see things.

Action step: Focus on what you do have.

3. Comparison kills gratitude.

Focuses on what you don’t have rather than what you do.

Every time you compare yourself to someone else, you are taking away the opportunity to be grateful. Your focus on them unhelpfully removes your focus on all the amazing things you have and all the amazing things you have accomplished.

Action step: Be grateful. Write it down. Do it daily.

This week, avoid comparison at all costs. Choose one of the three action steps and do it.

Enjoy the journey,

And more importantly, enjoy the moments.

🙂

Megan