By Vidya Raman
•
06 Jul, 2022
Have false
comparisons and the accompanying judgments brought you down? The operative
word here is ‘false’. Comparison is valuable when deciding between ‘similar’
products and we do that often before we order online. Humans, on the other
hand, are unique, complex, and multi-dimensional.
When we
compare ourselves to others, the judgment we make and the conclusions we arrive
at are often counterproductive. Often, the data gathered is faulty and the
filters we use are skewed toward one outcome, which is to confirm our bias that
the other person has it is better than us. At the same time, we ignore our
gifts, strengths, virtues, and values.
Social
media posts with exotic vacation pictures, glamor shots, and recognitions are
highlight reels of others. Sadly, we compare that to our everyday. It is easy
to fall prey to comparisons and doubt our own competencies and self-worth.
As Theodore
Roosevelt’s famous quote noted, ‘Comparison is the thief of joy”.
Besides
stealing your joy, the comparison will crush your self-esteem and build layers of
insecurities in your personality. Excavating through the hard sediments of
self-doubt and insecurities can set you back years from reaching your own
unique destination.
Don’t let
distractions like others’ journeys and milestones keep you from your own. If
your work colleague gets recognized, wish them well, and move on. Don’t
ruminate and dwell on it. It is not about proving yourself but improving
yourself every day..
There is
one thing that you’re better at than any other and that is being you. As Oscar
Wilde famously said, “Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.