When was the last time you compared yourself to someone else? In the past, I compared myself to other agency owners because their client list looked better and their team looked bigger. They might have even driven better cars. And for about ten minutes I would feel like I was behind.
Then I would remind myself that I had no idea what was actually happening inside that business. I didn’t know their debt. I didn’t know their stress levels. I didn’t know if they were burnt out, or bored, or barely holding it together behind a good front.
Regina Brett said it better than I can.
“Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.”
We all do it. It’s automatic. Someone else’s growth looks effortless from the outside. Someone else’s business looks cleaner, calmer, more sorted. It’s easy to assume the grass is greener over there.
But you’re comparing your behind-the-scenes to someone else’s highlight reel. That comparison was never fair to begin with.
Here’s what I’ve learned running Spike. The people who look like they’ve got it figured out are usually just further along in a mess you can’t see. They made different trade-offs. They took different risks. Some paid off. Some didn’t. You’re not seeing any of that.
Listen to advice. Take input from people you trust. But don’t let their opinion override your own read on your own situation. You know things about your business and life that no one else does.
Follow your gut.
Not blindly, but seriously. Your gut has context that spreadsheets and other people’s advice don’t.
Ultimately, you have to live your life. Not someone else’s. Not the version of success that looks good from a distance via Instagram, Facebook or TikTok.
This Week’s Motivator
Stop scoring yourself against someone else’s game.
Run your own race, at your own pace, for your own reasons.
Prompt for the Week
- Where have I been comparing myself to someone else’s journey this week?
- What decision am I avoiding because I’m too busy watching someone else’s life?
I will make that decision based on what I actually know, not what I assume about them.
