We all do it from time to time...We compare ourselves to others and gauge where we are based on where they are at or how they are doing. And in comparing ourselves to others, we often end up judging ourselves a bit too harshly.

The problem with constantly comparing yourself to others is that there is never a win, because there will always be someone who is better than we are at the thing we are comparing. This will just leave us disappointed. I don't know if you have ever noticed, but it doesn’t matter how many people are on your side, cheering you on and supporting you; if you can’t get on your own side you will never get past “go.”

Our minds love to quantify and organise. Our minds love to rank and file and store information and this is completely normal. We want to know where our abilities and looks and skills and performance fit into the greater scheme of things. And instead of trying to make ourselves stop comparing altogether, which is completely unrealistic, why not redirect the comparison to ourselves? There’s only one person you can truly compare yourself to and that’s yesterdays version of yourself. Identify the ways you have changed over the past few months or years and celebrate those things. You can also look at ways you still need to improve or areas that you want to focus on.

It’s in our human nature to want to expand and grow and change and be better and that’s a good thing. This is why humans have accomplished as much as we have, because we have that inbuilt natural desire to want more. But always comparing with others can lead to disappointment, envy, jealousy and resentment. So try the redirection idea! Next time you catch yourself comparing with someone else, stop for a moment and re-direct the thought. What are you doing today that you couldn’t have done one year ago? How have you made progress? What are you wins from this past year? How have you improved your life? What is something new that you can do today that you never thought you would?

That’s the stuff that counts! Comparing ourselves with someone else is an inaccurate and irrelevant measuring stick. There are just too many variables that you won’t be able to take into consideration. We will never have ALL the information needed to make an accurate comparison. People have different body types and genetics, different natural abilities, different schedules, different stresses in life. This will always make our comparisons cloudy and inaccurate. We will never know the full story about someone else and how they got to where they are, so stop comparing yourself to them. Focusing on your own progress and game plan and comparing your “today’s” self to “yesterday’s” self is a much smarter way to play the comparison game.