Be in competition with yourself

Is there a phrase you have to repeat to yourself on a daily basis? Well, that's one of mine.

This applies to blogging/business, school, work, everything.

I find myself feeling most frustrated when I'm trying to accomplish a goal, and comparing my progress to the progress or achievements of another person. And I don't think I'm the only person who struggles with this.

Our generation has been raised to be ambitious - to strive for the American dream (plus more). It's in our DNA to work to be the very best. And it's exhausting. We are surrounded by numbers, ratings, rankings, followers, comments, and other statistics often used to tell us how successful we are.

I find myself feeling most frustrated when I feel as if I've accomplished something great, and then see that someone else has accomplished something greater. Not jealous, just defeated.

But I shouldn't feel that way. You shouldn't feel that way.

Of course a little competition with others is healthy, but it shouldn't be what we live by or live for. Very little gratification comes with working diligently to get more "followers" than another person or a higher grade than another person.

The feelings that come from accomplishments like those are short-lived whispers that quickly fade. 

Instead, be in competition with yourself.

I find myself feeling the happiest when I'm trying to accomplish a goal and I compare my current situation with my past situation. When I live by my daily reminder, I feel accomplished and proud of the work that I've done and the work that I'm doing. And, I remember that my ultimate goal is to create something that lasts, and something that's bigger than me.

Yes, there are people who have blogs with more viewers than mine and authors who've sold more books than I have. And I'm okay with that. Because this time last year, a successful blog and book were just dreams...and now they are a reality.

So the next time you find yourself tempted to self-judge or compare your situation to that of another person's, don't. Alter your thoughts and ponder how many great things you've done this year compared to last year or the year before. 

Count how many ways you've grown instead of how many people know your name.

These are the statistics we should use to measure ourselves and our worth.

Another reason to not compare yourself to someone else?
You're special. I'm special. 

No one else in the world can do a better job at being you than you.