How to Stop Comparing Yourself to Others

The comparison trap affecting most individuals is a self-sabotaging habit. When you find yourself in this trap, you end up judging yourself against other people you come into contact with. Using external factors in measuring your self-worth will land you in a never-ending cycle where you find yourself coming up short. It is not uncommon to find some of us harboring feelings of not being successful enough, pretty enough or good enough. If you constantly focus on what other people are doing or achieving and compare their achievements to your own, it is only natural to feel jealous or even make sour grapes comments. So how do you combat it? Here are a few tips that can guide you on how to stop comparing yourself to others.

1. Water Your Grass
When we begin to focus on what other people are achieving and then comparing them with our own, we lose focus and time to invest in ourselves. Focus on building your confidence and self-worth. Work on building yourself. There are many things that you can do. There’s so much potential in you that’s just waiting to be tapped. Discover where you are good at and take the strengths assessment in StrengthsFinder 2.0.

2. Accept What You Have 
Instead of fighting or resisting where you are, make peace and acknowledge it. Accept every bit of your life. From this place, you can then make decisions that will help you move and realize success.

3. Love and Appreciate Your Past
Your past life might have been characterized by anxiety, fear, and mistakes. I can speak from my own personal experiences. However, all these were catalysts that helped me become a wiser, more courageous, and better version of myself. Embrace your past and appreciate how much you have grown.

4. Social Media Detox
Peers on social media constantly bombard us with photos of their blessed lives and lifestyles. What we fail to realize is that we compare our worst moments with their highlights. While social media is a great source for those looking for inspiration, it can easily trigger feelings of inadequacy, frustration, and self-doubt. When you get such feelings, take some time out, detox, and control your social media interactions.

5. Be Thankful for Everything You Have
If you constantly think about what you don’t have, it is highly unlikely that you will ever be satisfied with your achievements and blessings. It is important that you are grateful for what you have. One of the things I am most thankful for is having amazing and supportive parents. I consider myself fortunate for still having both of them around.

6. Focus on Your Own Progress/Success
Instead of focusing on others, begin focusing on what you wish to achieve as well as what you’ve done to make yourself better. The moment you focus on your steps to progress, it’ll be easier for you to improve and work on the things you would like to achieve.

7. Tell Yourself a Better Story
It is important that you tell yourself a better story about strength, optimism, and empowerment. Affirm yourself that you are strong and brave enough to attempt something new. Try not to blame yourself for the mistakes you committed in the past. Your past does not define who you are. You may have made some mistakes and failed at some point in your life, but there’s always a silver lining from all those. Always, always learn from your experiences— good or bad.