“Compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not to who someone else is today.”
– Jordan Peterson
One of the worst and most common daily habits is to constantly compare your life and yourself to other people and their lives.
This includes comparing financial assets, cars, houses, relationships, popularity and so on.
Eventually, you only end up crushing your own self-esteem while creating a burden of negativity in yourself.
So how can you deal with this nightmare? What can you do to handle this bad habit?
1. Connect with yourself and learn to love yourself as you are
You are who you are meant to be. There has never been another person exactly like you, and no one in the future will ever be like you.
You are special just the way you are, and the mix of your abilities, beliefs, and interests form the true and unique you. Do not let anyone make you believe otherwise. Don not waste your time getting jealous of who someone else is, or think how you should be more like them. Focus on yourself and continue to grow as a person. Nobody can do a better job of being you than yourself.
2. Compare yourself only to yourself and no one else
Rather than comparing yourself to others, learn to compare yourself to yourself.
Realize how much you have grown, list your achievements and measure the progress you have made towards achieving your dreams.
You need to develop a habit of gratitude, appreciation, and understanding towards yourself as you note how far you have come, all the hurdles you went through and all the good things you have done.
You can feel good about who you are without having to think less of other people.
Start writing down how you have grown, how much closer you have gotten to your goals and what you have learned and overcome throughout the years.
By doing so your way of thinking about yourself will become more positive and you will instantly become more focused on comparing yourself to yourself rather than to other people.
3. Take a break from social media
Every day we are bombarded with the posts of individuals who live “blessed” lives on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
But what we don’t take into account is that we often compare our own worst moments to another person’s highlights.
Social media can sometimes be a great source of joy and inspiration. But when it starts causing self-doubt, frustration and inadequacy, take a break form it without thinking twice. Don’t let social media control you. You should be the only one in charge of that.
4. Focus on the things that truly matter
When you focus your attention on the real world, you avoid wasting time and energy with meaningless activities such as comparing yourself to others.
Direct your attention toward working out at the gym or finishing that book you’ve been putting off. Engage in activities that leave you feeling alive (rather than Facebook stalking, which makes you end up feeling dead inside).
Create a list of things you want to do and schedule them into a calendar. Since many of us waste our time on social media when we have nothing else going on, having scheduled plans will greatly reduce the time we are sitting in front of our devices while marinating in our own misery.
5. Be happy for others
To eventually defeat the toxic influence of envy, try being happy for other people. Rather than comparing yourself to them, simply be glad that they are having a happy moment in their lives because we all deserve to be happy. Celebrate their achievements and congratulate their work as often as you can, and watch your envy slowly fade away.
6. Get a clear vision of what you want out of life
The better you know where you’re headed, the easier it will be to stop comparing yourself to others. You will become immune to other people’s tempting success stories because you will know that what they are doing is not part of the vision you have for your own life.
You will be happy for their success while reminding yourself of the next big thing you are set to accomplish in your own life.
7. Know that this is just part of your story
If you are not happy with the way your life is currently unfolding, remember that this is just a small part of the whole experience. Where you are today does not dictate where you will be in a few months or a few years from now. What matters is not where you are at this moment. What matters is your attitude, your mindset, and your ultimate destination.
Did you find these tips helpful? Let us know by joining the conversation in the comments and please share this article if you enjoyed the read.
