Reminder: Comparison Steers You Off Course
It’s easy to look around and feel like everyone else is further ahead. Someone else has the business, the audience, the opportunities, the confidence. You look at where they are and wonder if you missed your chance, if you are behind, or if you are even running the right race at all.
But here’s the truth: you cannot run your race well if you are focused on someone else’s.
One of my kids’ teachers works with racehorses. Recently she was telling us how one of her horses has to always wear blinders because if he can see another horse, he changes the way he runs. He will match the pace beside him or push too hard trying to get ahead. It affects his energy, focus, and rhythm. Without blinders he gets distracted and loses his flow. With blinders on, he runs his own race and he is incredible. Her words brought tears to my eyes, and the lesson has stayed with me.
Comparison pulls us off course and we end up running someone else’s race. When we compare our journey against someone else’s, we will lose our focus, energy, and joy.
Success is not found in copying someone else’s journey or timeline. Success is built through consistently progressing on your own unique path.
“A flower does not think of competing with the flower next to it. It just blooms.”
Your unique personality, background, skills, experiences, passions, and values all add up to something distinct and beautiful. Your path is yours alone and it has to be taken at your pace, in your way.
Of course, we look to others for inspiration, ideas, and best practices, but don’t let their stories take you off your own journey.
Your pace is not too slow. Your path is not too winding. Your timing is not late.
So today, lift your eyes from the races around you. Return your attention to the path before you.
Run your own beautiful, difficult, powerful race.
Honour your own authentic, sustainable, unique pace.
Follow your own heart, dreams and hopes.
Take your next step. Rest when you need to. But above all, don’t get distracted or pulled away from the journey of your dreams.
Keep going. We need you.
With you in the journey,
Justine
Reflection
What would it look like for you to focus on your own race this week, without comparing your style, pace or timeline to someone else’s?