Running Your Own Race
Recently, I became aware that I was doing something that rarely leads to anything positive. I have been comparing myself to others and, in my own mind, coming up short.
Last week at my bootcamp class, I finished last in my group. Everyone else seemed stronger and faster. This week on the pickleball court, I played with a group whose skills were clearly ahead of mine. My shots were not as sharp, my reactions not as quick, and I walked off the court feeling like I had some catching up to do.
Even in my business, the comparison game sneaks in. When I meet other coaches, and they describe the successes of their practices, the number of clients they serve, or the programs they run, it can be easy to measure my own work against theirs.
When I let those comparisons take over, the impact is inevitable. I start to feel less than. Less successful, less fit, less skilled, and the list can go on if I allow it. Those thoughts do not inspire me. Instead, they drain my energy. I feel a little down. Less animated. And if I am not careful, I will even be a little less committed.
Fortunately, a familiar voice popped into my head, something parents have been telling their children for generations: “Worry about yourself, not others.”
Simple advice, but a very good reminder.
Comparing ourselves to others rarely leads us to a good place. We do not know their starting point, their training, their natural abilities, or the years they may have invested in developing their skills. What we do know, and what we can control, is our own effort and our own progress.
So instead of letting those negative feelings linger, I decided to turn them into action and look inward. A better question than “How do I compare?” is “What can I do differently to improve?”
At the gym, I can focus on my form and work to get a little stronger each session. My goal is not to keep up with the person next to me. My goal is to do better than I did last week.
On the pickleball court, the solution is simple. Play more. Practice more. Perhaps even take a clinic to sharpen my skills.
In my business, comparison can easily become discouragement if I allow it. A more productive response is to double down on what matters most: building meaningful referral relationships, serving my clients well, and continuing to grow my network.
When we stop measuring ourselves against others and instead measure our progress against our own past performance, something shifts. We regain control and focus on growth instead of judgment.
Life is not meant to be a race against everyone around us. It is a race against the person we were yesterday.
If comparison is keeping you stuck or discouraged, it may be time to refocus on your own goals and strengths. Sometimes an outside perspective can help bring clarity to where you are and where you want to go. If you would like support in identifying your next steps and running your own race with greater confidence and purpose, I would be honored to talk with you.