Stop Comparing. You’re Not Them — and That’s Awesome.
Today let’s talk about comparisons.
The unhealthy kind. The kind that makes you forget how far you've come, just because someone else is already “there.”
Wherever there is.
We all compare ourselves to others. Often without even noticing that we do.
And when we do we get these thoughts in the background playing in an endless loop “Am I behind? Am I not good enough? What am I doing wrong?”
It’s a trap though… a dangerous one… because very often comparison will kill your creativity, your energy, and even your voice - if you let it.
Because I hate to break it to you but… there’s always someone who’s “better”.
There will always be someone who’s richer… smarter... better connected… prettier… more successful… happier…
But the thing is:
They’re not YOU.
Because you’re different. And that’s not a flaw.
What makes you incomparable is exactly what makes you YOU and what makes you special.
And yes everyone will compare you.
They’ll say you’re the better version of so-and-so … or the opposite.
They’ll rank you and label you and try to put you in one of their little boxes with a certain category tag on it.
But that’s their job. Not yours.
You don’t need to do the same inside your own head.
So don’t.
And if you still can’t help it. At least don’t set yourself up for failure.
Your Month 1 ≠ Their Year 10
Back in the days when I was still comparing myself to others, I made the same mistake most of us do.
I compared my month 1 to someone else’s year 10… And you don’t have to be too smart to guess who was better.
One of the times I did that was when I was launching my very first podcast 11 years ago.
I went and listened to most of the well-known podcasts and thought to myself “I probably could never be as good…”.
I spoke about it to an online friend and he gave me the advice that I still remember and wanna share with you too.
He said “Ani, they all sucked at first. Please go and check out their very first podcast episodes…”
So I did. And he was right.
You’re probably watching someone give a killer keynote on a big stage and thinking, “I could never be so confident on stage…”
But you are watching their keynote #25… you have not seen the first one…
The shaky voice on their first talk. The awkward body language. The hiccups… none of it.
So please
“Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle.”
— Jon Acuff
Comparison doesn’t motivate. It paralyzes.
It turns your focus outside when what you need to do instead is look inside.
The more time you spend looking around and comparing yourself to others, the less time you spend creating, building, experimenting, failing, trying again, changing, innovating, growing...
You were born to create something only YOU can.
Even if it’s messy. Even if it’s slow. Even if no one understands or supports at first…
This isn’t a competition.
We don’t race and there is no finish line.
Only our endless desire to become better. Create and build what matters. And the becoming of our true self.
So next time that inner voice whispers, “You’re behind”
recall this quote instead:
“When you are content to be simply yourself and don’t compare or compete, everyone will respect you.”
— Lao Tzu
Alright, that was all for now Rebel.
By the way… only a few know where the Rebel Speakeasy is. And now you’re one of them—grab a drink and let’s talk. We meet every Wednesday in live audio spaces on X.
Hope to see you there!
- Ani & Rick
RebelSpeakeasy.com by Ani • Rick
Find us on X @NFTrebels & @unl0c7