Hey guys!
Welcome to episode #2 of the More With Mike Podcast.
The reason I created this podcast has nothing to do with me and everything to do with you.
You’re awesome, I believe that, and I believe in you, and that is why I created the More With MikePodcast.
Why The Podcast?
Why not? 🙂 Seriously though, I created the podcast to…
Encourage, support, and motivate you to do more, feel more, and ultimately be more, for yourself and those around you.
It’s my commitment to you, to do all I can to help you feel and be your best in all you do.
Let’s get this party started!
Episode #2 – Comparing Ourselves To Others
Even though we all know that comparing ourselves to others is silly and does nothing positive for us, we all do it from time to time, including me.
If we are going to compare ourselves to others, then I think it’s important that we talk about how to do it and who to compare ourselves to.
While we’re at it, let’s also talk about why you should stop fussing about what others are posting on Facebook. It’s a waste of valuable time and energy.
Positive Comparison
I often compare myself to others, but in a positive way… let me explain.
As I continue to develop The Wellness Bucket, I want to make sure I’m doing the right things so that I position myself and The Wellness Bucket in the best way possible to help and serve others.
The way I often determine whether or not I am doing the right things is by taking a look at what others are doing, those whose work I respect, to see how closely my methods mirror theirs.
I don’t mean from a personality or offering standpoint either, both of which are unique and special to each individual person and business.
I mean from a operational standpoint… what type of software are they using, how do they connect and communicate with their community, how and what do they write about… these types of comparisons.
I use approach and methods from those I admire and respect as a blueprint for my own success and not to compare myself to them, their work, or their success.
They (whoever they is) say success leaves clues… I’m just taking advantage of the clues.
Negative Comparison
While positive comparison is a great way to gauge what you’re doing by using the comparison as a blueprint to help guide you, it’s negative comparison that unfortunately most people do.
Comparison, negative comparison, is the thief of joy.
Whenever we compare ourselves to others, we’re taking away from what we’ve done, from what we’ve achieved and accomplished.
For example, if someone loses 5 pounds (which is awesome) and compares that to the weight loss of a friend who lost 15 pounds in the same time frame, the person who lost the 5 pounds is now sad.
Sad because they only lost 5 pounds compared to the 15 pounds their friend lost therefore causing them to look down upon their awesome and amazing progress of losing 5 pounds.
In school, I was always a C student at best, and I was damn proud of it too. I would study my tail off for that C.
Now, if I were to compare myself with everyone else who got an A or a B, then I would have never been proud of myself and my accomplishments and how hard I worked for that C.
We’re all different.
We all learn, grow, and achieve in our own way and at our own pace.
One isn’t better than the other, they’re both awesome.
The Only Person You Should Compare Yourself To Is You
I use to think this statement was so cliche…
“The only person you should try to be better than is the person you were yesterday.”
The idea of comparing yourself to yourself and trying to be better every day.
I use to think, “how dumb… how can anyone be better than who they were just 24 hours ago?”
Looking back now, the only thing that was dumb was my thinking.
We can be better than the person we were yesterday.
Let’s compare ourselves to that person, the person we were yesterday.
If you’re asking yourself the question that I use to ask myself, “how can anyone be better than who they were just 24 hours ago?”, I’ll tell you.
1) Exercise
Exercise daily, even it it’s just a 15-20 walk per day. It’s these simple daily health habits such as walking that’ll make you healthier, happier, and more fulfilled each time you do it.
2) Read
Even if you just read just a few pages of a book daily, that’s a few more pages than you read the day before, giving you more material and knowledge than you had the day before.
3) Meditate
Meditating just 10 minutes a day (which I do – not consistent yet though, getting there), I feel more calm, more at peace and mindful with each passing day.
4) Gratitude
By writing in my gratitude journal every morning, it makes me aware of all the blessing I have in my life which leads me to feel happier, more grateful and therefore for fulfilled each day.
Is it possible to be better than the person you were yesterday?
The answer is an absolute yes!
Who Cares What Others Post On Facebook
There’s been numerous occasions now where I have either Facebook comments or articles about how people post to Facebook in a way that makes their lives seem perfect.
Maybe that’s true.
Maybe people do portray a life on Facebook with their posts that’s fake, not real, and complete bogus.
I can’t help but wonder why people use other peoples Facebook posts to compare themselves too.
“I’m not traveling as much as that person.”
“I don’t have the career that person has.”
“My relationship isn’t as good as that person’s relationship.”
“I don’t look like that in a bathing suit.”
Here’s a question for you….
Who cares what people post on Facebook?
I mean seriously? Who cares?
I say that will love and respect too meaning, let people post what they want on Facebook.
What concern or business is that of ours?
Even if their pictures are fake and bogus and are portraying a life that doesn’t really exist for them…
Who cares?
If it makes them feel better, great.
If it helps them in any way, great.
Let’s not concern or compare ourselves to what others are posting on Facebook, deal?
Everyone is awesome in their own way and doing the best they can to be loved and accepted.
You’re Awesome!
Going forward, if you’re going to compare yourself to anyone, do so in one of the following two ways:
1) Compare your approach, values, and morals to those you respect.
2) Compare yourself to the person you were yesterday and ask, “am I a better person today?“
Continue to be you, don’t worry about what others are doing or not doing, what they’re posting on Facebook or on any other social media platform, take a deep breath, smile big, and know this…
You’re awesome.
Cheers!
Mike
only compare to who we were yesterday. YES!! love that tip!
Thanks Ellen!