THE GAUGE

Here are the following questions to ask yourself to get a gauge on how you do with comparison:

1. Do you scroll on social media and see things other people are doing and think “I need to do that!”

2. Have you changed something in your business several times? (Pricing, editing style, business structure, website and brand, etc)

3. Do you feel unqualifed? Afraid to fail? Like you are behind and should be doing more?

4. Do you overspend? Buy things to keep up with trends?

5. Struggle with anxiety or depression?

NOW THAT WE ALL HAVE HAD THAT REALITY CHECK

“Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself to others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life. “

Galatians 6:4-5

“STAY IN YOUR LANE, COMPARISON KILLS CREATIVITY AND JOY”

Brene Brown

HERE ARE THE STEPS TO OVERCOME

1. FOLLOW CHARACTER

Be sure you follow character and not just trends. What is important to you in a friend and a person who influences you? Do not cave for anything less in your feed. Follow a person who has character you stand by.

2. REMEMBER WHAT YOU FOLLOW IS NOT WHAT THEY FOLLOW

If you are in the creative industry the truth is your newsfeed looks WAY different than your clients newsfeed. They do not see the inspiration you do. Whatever you follow and see is not what your client sees. You may feel 10 steps behind but the truth is… you aren't. As long as you are ONE step ahead your client you still have something valuable to offer.

3. DOES IT MAKE YOU COME ALIVE?

Are you doing what gives you life? Do you come alive and are you living out the things that do not deplete you? This is a great gauge to be sure you are staying true to who you are and not just cranking out something because someone else is doing it.

4. LIGHT ANOTHER CANDLE

There is no quicker way to fuel your passion and remind yourself of your real WHY then to go light someone else’s candle. When you light another candle yours DOES NOT go out. Actually the light just gets a little brighter. Kick comparison in its trap and go out and light someone on fire!

5. PUT GRATITUDE ON YOUR DAILY LIST

It is hard to be anything but JOYFUL when you choose to be grateful. It takes discipline to choose gratitude. I have a gratitude journal that I use. As soon as I feel myself veering away fromJOY I just hit that list and write down anything I can think of that I am grateful for.

6.COMPARE TO YOURSELF

The only productive comparison to do is to your former self. If you are NOT growing then you won’t ever go anywhere. IF you look at everyone else the problem is you won’t even know you are stagnant. Make a point at least quarterly to look back and see where you have changed or moved.

7. LIMIT SOCIALMEDIA

Aimlessly scrolling is not productive for anything. Limiting your time on social media to time that makes it WORK for you only will help tremendously. I am not saying to NEVER scroll but when you fill your feed with only people who spur you on then it still works for you. Guard your heart and mind by limiting your scroll and WHO you scroll.