WEEKLY WISDOM - COMPARISON

Comparison: a consideration or estimate of the similarities or dissimilarities between two things or people.

One of my favorite musical artists, Jonathan McReynolds has a song called "Comparison Kills". Some of the lyrics are:

Other nations live with sickness, but over here we die from jealously

'Cause it makes you chase what's not meant to be

you've possessed it all along

It comes to steal

And hide what is real

Comparison kills

As we progress in our careers or endeavors, it’s easy to look at the progress of others and compare your own perceived lack of success to their supposedly great success. It can be demotivating or cause you to drift from your purpose and the value that you are designed to add. You will start chasing things that were not meant to be chased and lose your focus.

When we compare ourselves to others, we have a limited or surface view of their story. One example is when we look at someone who is either in a top position or whose business is thriving. What we don’t know is their story or journey, their credentials, or the years of grinding that they have gone through or who they have connected or collaborated with to advance their careers or business.

One recommendation to kill comparison is to follow this simple but effective process. Start by defining what success looks and feels like to you. You should go deep into your heart, soul, and mind to determine what will give you life and satisfy your craving. Next continue to remind yourself that this is a journey and not a sprint. Make sure you are maximizing the experiences that you encounter on your journey. This means the good, the bad, the ugly, the highs, the lows, the steps forward, the steps backward, the unexpected, the disappointments, the successes, and the celebrations. Each experience helps to enrich your journey of success. To continue killing comparison, celebrate other’s successes and encourage them in their journey. Make every effort to have genuine and sincere happiness for others as they progress through their careers or business. This will help to transform your heart, soul, and mind to always come from a pure and good place. Lastly, remain consistent, focused, and disciplined on your own journey. Build your own measures of success as the common phrase states “what gets measured, gets done!”

Coming to the realization of killing comparison was a journey for me early on in my career. My entire perspective was external in nature where I was looking at everyone around me and making comparisons. I was hiding jealousy in my heart or thinking that I should have been the one who deserved the promotion or business success and recognition. When I finally started to reflect internally, that was when the growth began in every area of my life and career.

Hold fast to this scripture in Galatians 6:4-5 (Amplified Bible version), “4 But each one must carefully scrutinize his own work [examining his actions, attitudes, and behavior], and then he can have the personal satisfaction and inner joy of doing something commendable without comparing himself to another. 5 For every person will have to bear [with patience] his own burden [of faults and shortcomings for which he alone is responsible].”

Remember Comparison Kills- Hopes, Dreams, Vision, Success, Celebrations, Progress, etc.!

(EQUIPPING)

Exercise Your Power this week

1.    Define what success truly looks like for you from an internal place.

2.       Identify how you compare yourself to others and how you can stop it.

3.       Select a couple of people and celebrate their successes.