The comparison game is real right now.

Are you feeling it too?

You’re not alone. We all struggle with creative comparison… and it is SUCH a tough mindset to overcome.

I get caught up in it too (guilty! ????????). I find myself scrolling and making mental notes of how many followers she has, or how many likes that post received. I find myself comparing my style to theirs, thinking all of the sudden that my work isn’t as good as I once believed it to be. I’m guilty of jealousy. I let my envy steal my happiness.

And the thing is… it never goes away. Not on its own. The grass is always greener. 

 

It takes a conscious effort to combat comparison. So how do we do it? It’s not easy (and it’s always a work in progress), but here’s a start:

• Celebrate your own wins. Take a step back to appreciate the big picture. Look how far you’ve come! I’m totally serious: write a list of things you’ve accomplished that make you feel proud. Include the big stuff (like booking a new client!) and the little stuff too (like surviving the only open checkout line at Target without a mental breakdown). Cheers to your wins!
• Celebrate their wins too. Her success is not my failure. There is really no reason we can’t be happy for another person’s success. Her journey is completely different from your own… and you don’t lose anything when she experiences a success.
• Recognize the things that make you you. What is it about you that sets you apart? What is unique about you and your business? What are the qualities you have, that nobody else does? Maybe it’s your ability to productively breeze through a to-do list… or your knack for finding the perfect personalized gift to make a client smile. It could be your education or experience… it might be your creativity. Nobody can take those away from you!
• Strive for self-improvement. Of course, too much negativity isn’t good for us. But, for just a minute, entertain your negative thoughts: are they based in fact? Or are you just feeling down on yourself? If you feel like there really is room for improvement, then let’s do something about it! Take steps toward a new goal. Invest in an educational opportunity, redo your budget, or take time to streamline your processes. However: if you’re just feeling down on yourself, shake it off! You’re already awesome. (refer back to bullet #1).
• Remember that social media is only the highlights reel. You have no way of knowing how many late nights or tears or hurdles she experienced along the way. You’re only seeing the highlights. I bet that if you pulled back the curtain of our screens, you’d see a more complete story—a story filled with highs and lows, just like yours. You may not know her hardships. You may not know the battles she’s fought to get here today. Be compassionate toward her success, and remember that she’s probably been through her fair share of ups and downs in order to celebrate this moment. Let’s celebrate along with her. 
• Don’t be afraid to unfollow. If an account brings you more negativity than joy, just tap that “unfollow” button. Like, right now. I don’t care how incredible her work is, or how many followers she has. Make a decision to cut the negativity out of your life—don’t follow people who don’t bring true inspiration and encouragement to your day. Even better? Put the phone down for the next hour (or two, or three…). Enjoy the people around you!
• Keep a Smile File. It might sound a little dorky, but just trust me. You’ll thank me next time you start feeling comparison creep in. Start a list (phone notes or Google Docs are great, so you can access them anywhere in a comparison emergency!). Write down business wins and personal wins. Copy and paste kind words from clients… or quotes that inspire you. Screenshot a friend’s encouraging text message. You can even record a video pep talk for your future self! Anything that makes you happy! Keep it in the “Smile File” for a rainy day.

 

Creative comparison is a fast-track to jealousy and negativity. We know it’s not good for us. So let’s work on it together, okay? Implement just one of these tips this week! We’ll start slow. And when you’ve got it all figured out? Drinks are on me! I can raise a glass to that.

The grass is green where you water it—not on the other side, wherever that might be.