Why are we challenged to stay in our lane?
There is so much noise in the world today that I believe we’ve lost the art of focus.
Over the past couple weeks, I’ve been weaning myself off of social media. I’ve been leaving my phone at home when I go out, plugging it in and leaving it in the evenings, I have even taken the Instagram app out of my main apps. To be honest, it was tough!
Why am I telling you this? Well, I was getting into an awful habit that I believe most of you can relate to. I was comparing my life to others around me. I was driving in my lane striving for my own success but completely consumed with everyone else’s path, and that way of life was leading me towards a major crash.
The comparison game steals your joy, slows momentum, and gives life to your greatest insecurities.
The thing about the comparison game is there is never a win. How often do we compare ourselves with someone less fortunate than us and consider ourselves blessed? More often, we compare ourselves with someone who we perceive as being, having, or doing more.
This always leaves me feeling like I’m not doing enough.
Can you remember the last time you compared yourself to someone?Maybe you were at an event or a party, or just scrolling your news feed. Perhaps you were comparing yourself physically, or perhaps you were comparing businesses, successes, whatever.
Think of that moment, and take a minute to notice how it feels in your heart.
It doesn’t feel very good, right?
Now, this may blow your mind.
Do you remember a time when you compared yourself to someone, and you came out the winner? That feels amazing, right?
That’s because viewing life as a competition, where you have to constantly be better at whatever — how you look, how you parent, how you write — doesn’t feel very good. It always leaves me feeling defeated, angry and full of self-pity. That kind of energy will never serve you.
In essence, comparing yourself to others is always a losing game.
I always say, you may not be in control of what runs through your thoughts, but you are in control of how you react to those thoughts. What was my response to the comparison game? I put blinders on. I put my phone down and jumped out of the social media game.
Let me tell you; it has been amazing. Do I still have withdrawals? Yes, of course. Do I still find myself reaching for my phone when there is a break in conversation or if I walk into an elevator or if I’m waiting for someone to join me for dinner? Absolutely, but this is why I leave my phone at home, or I stop myself. Let me tell you; it takes discipline.
If you have ever noticed, it doesn’t matter how many people are on your side, cheering you on. If you can’t get on your own side, you never get past “go.”
“Why compare yourself with others? No one in the entire world can do a better job of being you than you.” ~Unknown
You are extraordinary. Stand up, look up from your phone and own your greatness!
