Ever caught yourself scrolling through LinkedIn and your feed is full of people smashing it, celebrating big wins, successes….leaving you feeling a bit envious and then deflated? That was me recently. Had to hit the pause button and do some self-coaching. Welcome to the Comparison Trap!
Whether you are job hunting, seeking promotion, running a business … the urge to compare your journey to others’ is all too familiar. It’s easy to fall into the trap of measuring our success, worth, progress against that of others.
Whilst healthy comparisons can serve as motivation and inspiration for personal growth, constant comparison can harm self-esteem, foster self-doubt and feelings of inadequacy. It breeds anxiety and undermines intrinsic motivation. It may lead to a competitive mindset that hinders the ability to learn from and work effectively with others. Fear of not measuring up to others can stifle creativity and risk taking.
Sharing 5 tips that work for me and my clients :
1. 📊Be a measuring stick: Rather than comparing yourself with others, use yourself as a gauge. Remind yourself your achievements, successes, personal best, milestones and the progress that you have made over time. Recognise that your journey is unique. Staying in your lane allows you to pursue personal excellence without the burden of external comparisons.
2. 🌐 Empower yourself online: Identify and manage triggers that affect your mental well-being. Take charge of your online experience. Unfollow accounts that drain your positivity and set time limits on social media. By regaining control over your emotional landscape, you empower yourself to navigate the digital world with intention.
3. 🙏 Be grateful for what you have. Focus on the positive aspects of your life to shift from scarcity to abundance. Make gratitude a daily habit, incorporating it into daily routines such as brushing your teeth or having your morning coffee. By appreciating the good, you diminish the impact of comparisons, fostering contentment.
4. 🎉 Celebrate the successes of others. Rather than viewing their achievements as threats, see them as inspiration. Recognise the abundance of success in the world, creating a culture of shared accomplishment and support that elevates everyone.
5. 🧠 Retrain your brain: Integrate affirmations and visualisation into your routine. Surround yourself with uplifting content and supportive individuals. Practice mindfulness and celebrate the little wins to promote resilience, turning down the volume on negativity and redefining your mindset.
What strategies / mindset shifts helped you to break free?
What little win are you proud of right now?
Ready to Break Free? If you would like some help navigating life’s challenges, get in touch
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