Living in a world where comparison is a way of life. People are posting pictures of themselves traveling to gorgeous locations, landing a dream job, buying luxury cars or celebrating their successes on social media each and every day. It can seem like everybody is working things out, and we’re not.

I used to think that my value was based on others. If we had more success than me, I felt like I wasn’t doing well. Instead of feeling good about myself if I was doing well, I was feeling good about others doing well. I looked at others’ success, not at my own. This was tiring, aggravating, and heart-wrenching.

But one day, it all changed.

I knew that comparison was not getting me to the place of growth, it was robbing me of my joy. That one thought made one of the most pivotal lessons of my life.

How much does it cost to compare?

Comparing doesn’t only make us envious; it makes us to overlook our own progress. We cease to value our progress when we are too much preoccupied with watching others.

The reality is that each individual’s experience is unique, each individual has experienced struggles, and each individual has had opportunities. It’s unfair to compare your start to someone else’s mid or end.

A man may appear successful today and you’ll never know of the years of toil, failures and sacrifices that have been behind his success. A lot of times, social media will present you with the positive side of things and not the negative side.

My Turning Point

This one night I was on social media for an extended period. Each of the posts made me wonder about my own life.

I did not feel inspired, rather, I felt disappointed.

So, I wondered myself a question:

Am I being a better man than last day?

That opened my mind up to that question.

I knew that I was never in competition with anyone else. The only rival I had was myself.

I realized from that day that I didn’t have to follow anybody’s timeline, I could create my own

 What Changed After I Stopped Comparing

It was a change that was not swift, but it was a powerful one.

Began to acknowledge positive things rather than sweep them under the carpet.

I was more thankful for what I had.

I was concerned with developing my abilities instead of proving my value.

What was most important to me was finding peace.

If you get rid of comparing yourself to others, you have room for confidence, creativity, and growth.

Everything can take place at any time with success.

A common mistake that people make is to think that there is a “right age” or “perfect time” to be successful.

So, it isn’t like that in life.

For some, it is at age 20 that they succeed.

Some people find their purpose at 40. Some people find their purpose at 40.

For many it’s after 50 that they realize their greatest aspirations.

Each flight is different.

There is no competition between flowers. It just flowers when it’s time.

Mankind is no exception.

Concentrate on Progress and Not Perfection.

There’s no perfection, but every day you can get better.

Instead of asking,

Why doesn’t he/she look as successful as them?

Ask,

What can I do today to improve myself from yesterday?

Read one chapter.

Develop a new skill.

Do 30 minutes of activity.

Write one page.

Save some cash.

A little small change can be a big change later!

Gratitude Changed Everything

A lesson I learned is the gift of gratitude.

As I began to value my own life, I stopped letting others’ influence be on me.

I am thankful for my family, my health, my opportunities and my struggles – ALL of them were building me up to be a better person.

Thankfulness is the way to change your focus from what you don’t have to what you do have.

That, in turn, makes all the difference.

Your journey is Your Strength.

This world doesn’t need another one of you!

It needs you.

You are unique because of your experiences, your ideas, your failures and your dreams.

When you no longer look to live someone else’s life, you start living your own life.

You might be more likely to move at a slower speed.

You may have a different route.

However, don’t worry, you’re not behind.

It’s just that you’re taking your own way.

Final Thoughts

The day I began not comparing myself with others was the day I discovered how to enjoy life.

I found that happiness is not based on other people’s possessions. It can be discovered in the process of self-transformation.

But be sure that sometime, there will always be someone who is richer, smarter, stronger and more successful.

But no-one can be you.

So, stop comparing.

Start growing.

Celebrate your progress.

Trust your journey.

True success in life is not being better than anyone else, it’s being the best version of yourself.

Life changing lesson: “Comparison is the thief of joy; self-growth brings confidence. Concentrate on your own path, trust your own timing and allow your own progress to be your greatest accomplishment.