Comparing yourself with others can be an unhealthy and detrimental habit, so here are strategies to help you escape the comparison trap and find peace within yourself and on your unique journey.
Begin by identifying what causes you to fall into comparison trap. This could range from social media posts or specific situations and people, all the way down to your daily commute.
Accept yourself for who you are.
To successfully overcome comparison, the most effective approach is to accept yourself for who you are - flaws and all. Instead of dwelling on what others possess that you do not, practice gratitude instead - this will shift your narrative from "envy" to "appreciation".
Remind yourself that life isn't a race! Instead of operating as though success requires outshouting everyone else, focus on your growth and progress over time; this will enable you to be both more productive and happier!
Your body, mind, and emotions may present difficulties when accepting certain aspects of yourself; whether that means being boring, unintelligent, unsuccessful, or lacking attractive features. Accept that some things are beyond your control and try not to take them personally when they happen.
Reminding yourself that what you see on social media is only the highlight reel helps keep things in perspective. What you don't see are their struggles - from stained jeans and low bank accounts to bad grades - these are real-life struggles we all deal with, so when something online makes you feel inferior or inferior think about their struggles too - chances are, they too may just as human as you! That is one reason we teach self-love through coaching programs!
Stop comparing yourself to others.
The comparison trap can be an intoxicating snare. Filled with Gremlins of Doubt, it can prevent you from making progress toward your goals. If you find yourself caught up in this predicament, you must recognize why comparison is harmful and how to overcome its hold on you.
Change the terms of comparison by altering your frame of reference. Instead of looking at what other people possess, start considering how you have grown since you last looked. For instance, if someone in your class regularly attends a gym class is making you jealous, instead shift focus onto how much more exercise you've gotten since last year.
One way to stop comparing is to view those you judge as characters in your life story. Remember, you are the hero, while other people serve as plot devices who help reveal aspects of yourself that could inspire, challenge, or cause doubt in you. You have complete control of their appearance in your narrative!
If you're finding it hard to escape the comparison trap, try tuning out any distractions that trigger it. If you find yourself comparing yourself with social media influencers or celebrities, take a moment and consider why. If it persists beyond this step, consult a therapist who can teach tools for managing thoughts and developing healthy self-esteem. Alternatively, practicing gratitude by writing daily or weekly lists about what you are grateful for may also help.
Stop seeking validation from others.
Building confidence and trust within yourself is the best way to stop seeking external validation, although this may take some time. Achieve this through daily gratitude journaling, mindfulness meditation, or simply taking notice of what works well in your life--be that decisions that make you proud, strengths you acknowledge, or ways your values and principles have been upheld.
Noticing when and how often you get caught in the comparison trap can also be very helpful in understanding its source. A social media break, postponing business meetings, or postponing an event are great ways to avoid falling into this pattern and fueling any negativity or comparison traps that arise. Once you know your triggers, take time out and figure out what exactly is triggering it all - before reacting inappropriately!
Although it may seem counterproductive, comparing yourself less can actually help you attain greater success in life. By spending more time celebrating what's great about you and your journey versus worrying about what others are doing or how they're doing it, you will find it easier to define your desired business goals and identify necessary steps towards attaining them.
Be mindful that comparison is never productive and that everyone has their own journey to follow. Comparing can lead to feelings of envy or jealousy and it's important to realize these negative emotions are often stemming from an absence of self-love or worth. If this feeling occurs for you, take a deep breath and remind yourself that there are numerous qualities about yourself and your journey that are invaluable.
Stop comparing yourself to your goals.
Reducing yourself to your goals can be detrimental. Although goal setting can be an excellent way to stay on track and achieve results, comparing yourself with your goals can have devastating effects on both your mental and physical well-being. When this becomes a source of self-esteem issues, steps should be taken to overcome it - this might involve focusing on your strengths and accomplishments, practicing self-care activities such as setting screen time limits on social media accounts that trigger negative thoughts, as well as prioritizing yourself above other things.
No matter your goal - whether that be weight loss, finishing a project, or saving money - it is essential to remember that everyone's journey differs. Instead of comparing yourself with other people or looking back over years' past progress to see where you stand now.
When you catch yourself thinking negatively, stop and ask if what you are thinking will move you towards your goal. Most likely the answer will be no. If stopping seems impossible, write a list of all of your successes to remind yourself.
No one should compare themselves with anyone else on their journey - what matters is being happy and proud of the progress you've made yourself. From running a mile without stopping to finishing that big project or meeting savings goals, every milestone deserves recognition and celebration. Don't wait another second - do something fun today to celebrate! And when it's over, treat yourself! After all, your hard work deserves some pampering; go running, take a bubble bath, or spend quality time with friends - whatever helps take your mind off comparison and put back onto achieving goals!
Stop comparing yourself to your aspirations.
Comparison is often an unwise source of misery and wastes energy better spent pursuing our own goals. But don't let comparison steal your joy - instead focus on self-acceptance! The comparison may keep us away from true happiness.
Comparing yourself with others can be helpful if used strategically and only to generate inspiration and define your non-negotiables. Unfortunately, too often comparison turns into a demoralizing trap filled with Gremlins of Doubt which prevents you from progressing forward while keeping you stuck in self-pity, envy, and shame.
Avoiding mistakes also robs you of the thrill, pride, and satisfaction that come with realizing your own success. Everyone's journey is unique; sometimes it takes longer for us humans to reach a level of mastery - there's nothing wrong with that - it's part of being human!
An effective strategy to escape the comparison trap is to shed externally-sourced standards and expectations, by recognizing triggers (e.g. social media) and finding your own values and beliefs to guide your life compass. Benjamin Franklin set an excellent example - keeping track of daily goals accomplished to foster internal sources of self-esteem development.
Avoiding comparison can be tricky, but it is more than worth your while to do so! Take some time to identify your most frequent triggers and find an approach that suits you best.
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