Many of times we become really self conscious about ourselves and start comparing ourselves to others. This can break us, but on the other hand it can inspire us to become better. Let’s see how comparing can be both detrimental and beneficial to our growth….
“If you compare yourself to others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.” ~ Max Ehrmann
The greatest thing we can do when it comes to our business is to focus on become better each and everyday. Have you ever been on a roll, like being in the zone, and everything is going the way you want it to?
That’s the greatest feeling, huh?
It’s like no one can touch you when you’re in the zone.
You put out an ad whether you’re using solo ads, ppc, or maybe you have a popular blog and you’re getting 10 leads one day, 7 the next, maybe 15 another day. You feel so successful.
On top of that, you may get 3 signups a month in your home business or affiliate program.
Sounds fantastic to a lot of us huh?
But wait!
Then you read about the few people that’s getting 30 leads a day on average and they’re getting 3 sign ups a week. Now how does that make you feel?
Many of times we feel bad about ourselves. In comparison to those people, you’re just making chump change. You wonder what they’re doing, but then you tell yourself that it’s not possible to reach their level.
Then doubt comes in, and you tend to come down more on yourself more and more. Then all of a sudden, you’re sign ups may stop because you don’t have the vigor to keep going.
How Comparing Yourself To Others Can Be Detrimental
Sometimes the worst thing that we can do is compare ourselves to others in a sense that “we’re not good enough” or in a jealous sense. This can truly be detrimental to our home businesses.
Why?
Because we’re so focus on the other person and how bad we are when it comes to our home businesses that we block and reject any great ideas and strategies that come our way.
Some of us even go to the extent of trying to bring the other person done just so they can feel how we feel. The problem with this is that you can ruin your own reputation and be labeled a “HATER”.
So why would you want to negate your success by become insecure about yourself because the other person is doing well for their home business?
Does it really help you in the long run?
Not really….
How Comparing Yourself To Others Can Be Beneficial 
So instead of focusing on your insecurities and defaming the name of the other person, why don’t you let their success be your inspiration to get better.
We all work hard at building our businesses, but in the industry, especially in the network marketing industry, we are all here to help and inspire each other. There may be some things that you’re doing that you’re more successful at that others may want to learn about.
If the other person is doing well, why not ask the questions “What are they doing to build their business and how can I apply it to mine?” You want to always leave your mind open and accept the ideas and strategies that resonate with you, and letting others inspire you will do this for you.
So the next time your insecurities and “haterism” start to creep up on you, stop, think, and see how that other person can help and inspire you. It’s better to see how you can improve instead of becoming an obstacle to yourself.
Now It’s Your Turn!
Do you find that you compare yourself to others for the worst? Do you see how others can inspire you to become better? Please share your comments below and share this post with your friends. I look forward to reading them!
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Hi Sherman,
I think we all do a little comparing now and then, and that’s OK as long as it doesn’t discourage you from being who you are.
It’s so much more to our advantage to really look at our strengths and our uniqueness and use that in a way no one else does. That’s often hard to do especially if we’re low on self confidence, but if that’s the case the issue becomes how can you boost your self confidence?
There will always be someone who can do something better than you. Comparing yourself to them is wasted energy. Instead pull from your abilities, talents and strengths and just do it better 🙂
Good food for thought Sherman 🙂
Liz
Liz McGee recently posted…Blog Commenting – Waste Of Time or Useful Traffic Strategy?
Hey Liz,
This is great advice, especially for those who don’t have the best self confidence in the world. Why waste energy on comparing yourself to other people where you can focus on your talents and abilities and how you can make them better!
Thanks for the valuable comment!
admin recently posted…Are You Comparing Yourself To Others?
Hi Sherman,
I am sure lots of people compare themselves to others, it is human nature.
Having the correct mindset toward this is so important.
Positive thoughts lead to positive actions.
This leads to positive results.
We must look at people getting better results in the same industry as ourselves as an inspiration to what is possible.
It can do us no harm to ask them how they are getting these results.
If you do feel any negative emotions like jealously toward anyone doing better than yourself. It may be better to just focus on your own game for the time being and aim to get better results than you have before on a monthly, weekly or daily basis.
“Beat Yourself, Never Beat Yourself Up”
Onwards And Upwards To Success
Gary
Hey Gary,
I like the phrase at the end of your comment “Beat Yourself, Never Beat Yourself Up”… it is definitely true that a lot of people beat themselves up because of comparing themselves to other. I’m guilty of that myself.
But if anything we should compare ourselves to how we were the day before. From this stand point we can figure out how we can improve while not beating ourselves up. We can definitely move forward a lot easier!
Thanks Gary!
Sherman Smith recently posted…Do You Use The Word “Must” More Or The Word “Should” ?
One of the quickest ways to fail Sherman.
I killed myself with this one, for many years. After deep thought, I did what I did best and studied successes, instead of comparing myself with them in a negative light.
Thanks for sharing, awesome points!
Hey Ryan,
yes this is definitely one of the quickest ways to fail. I see it a lot and I’m guilty of it myself. Best thing you can do is to study those successes to see how you can improve!
Thanks Ryan!
I normally don’t compare myself to others. I feel that it’s a waste of time and energy at the same time, I have to focus on me, and I’m the number #1 priority. Often times if you go down that path, it’s hard to get yourself out there. I wouldn’t recommend anyone doing it but how can you not when you have social media outlets like Facebook. That is like a comparison heaven for those who worry about others instead of worrying about themselves. Great insights as always Sherman!
Nate Leung recently posted…5 Reasons Why It’s A Good Time to Own A Home Based Business
Hey Nate,
As far as business goes, the number 1 priority is definitely self. Focusing and moving forward and making improvements is the mindset that we all should have. If comparing yourself to someone is going to help you move forward then it’s ok, but for the wrong reasons which as a results make you stagnate in your business and retract backwards, then you definitely want to put your mindset in check.
Thanks for your insight Nate
sherman smith recently posted…How Many Friends Should You Have On Social Media?
Hello, I am new to your blog and just wanted to stop in and say hello. As for if I have compared myself to others, the answer is yes. I do agree that it is not always good. But if that person that you were comparing yourself to is successful and you were following in their footsteps.
I think that can be a great thing.
Hey Susan,
Thanks for stopping by! Yes I do believe that comparing yourself to someone successful is great as long as it’s helping you move forward. If not, then the mindset has to be put in check! Thanks for your insight Susan!
admin recently posted…How Many Friends Should You Have On Social Media?
Hi Sherman,
That’s some great advice there my friend. It never pays to bad mouth others, especially online because as you say we’d come of worst and get know as a hater.
It’s our reputations on the line when we start bad mouthing people so just don’t do it.
I used to compare myself to my fellow students when I was taking the Masterclass course. I had a period of poor health and couldn’t sit at the PC so my work fell behind.
I used to see all my fellow students moving forward and think that should be me. It played on my mind so much that when I could get the PC I’d start cutting corners trying to make up for lost time…
That was a huge mistake as i then had to go back and correct myself 🙁
Now I work hard and encourage others to do the same, I still make comparisons but now just to compare results and techniques etc.
If someone’s in front of me and getting better results my answer is fair play to them now spill the beans ha ha.
Thanks for a great reminder Sherman 😉
Barry
Hey Barry,
ha ha ha… I like that you give them credit where credit is due, and at the same time try to find out what they’re doing so you can improve.
It’s all about focusing moving forward. Yes, comparing yourself to others for the wrong reasons can definitely stagnate your growth. I believe most of us been through this.
I’m glad you realize that this isn’t a great way to make improvements and having a lack mentality will give you a lack of performance. This is a great lesson that we all learn on our journey.
Thanks for your insight Barry!
sherman smith recently posted…How Many Friends Should You Have On Social Media?
Hi Sherman,
I like the way that you organise your blog post, Sherman!
How is comparing to others detrimental…and how is it beneficial. I hope your readers can easily pick up that the choice to break or make us lies within us.
While network marketing is a simple business model, there are many factors that can impact on the outcome. These include our beliefs, skills, past experiences, support system, etc.
Once on the right track, there is no need to compare. Just focusing on the tasks and keep the eyes on the goals and vision. Comparison only takes away our focus. As Ryan says, it is the quickest way to fail.
Thanks, Sherman!
Viola Tam – The Business Mum
Hey Viola,
There are benefits to comparison and there are things that can be detrimental. One thing I learned is to focus on keep moving forward. As far as comparison, make sure that you’re better than your yester-you and if you do compare, make sure that what others are doing is helping you move forward.
Thanks Viola!
sherman smith recently posted…How Many Friends Should You Have On Social Media?
Hi Sherman,
1. I do agree that when you compare yourself with the wrong person you may end up in frustration and hate and sometimes you may feel the need to “to bring the other person done “. It happens.
However, this is a delicate matter. How do you know the other person (probably the commentator) wants to bring you down? Maybe he just felt the need to communicate you some of his or her feelings and views. It is easy to jump into conclusion and assign feelings and thoughts to a person.
2. What happens when you compare yourself with the right person? I use to compare myself with one person I admire and respect and she is just a little bit higher than me. I like to check the engagement and rankings of that person and compare to mine. It motivates me tremendously. It creates a kind of emulation and definitely boosts my willpower. It’s a constant river of inspiration and sometimes I write to that person asking her: “How did you do that?” She answers, explains and I apply the advice and see better results. My confidence increases as a result of that.
3. Finally, I agree it is better to see how can you improve and become a better person than to compare to others all day long.
Have a nice day
Hey Silviu,
I like your insight on this subject. You tend to look on both sides of the tracks by asking “What if?” Asking what if other people are just conveying their views and not trying to literally bring you do is something to think about. Some people may take it as offense while other people look at it as something that will help them look inside themselves and figure out how to grow and improve on it.
This can be the right person. We can use them as a “blueprint” to figure out how we can make improvements. It definitely is a great motivation factor and inspire you to do much better.
Thanks for your insight!
sherman smith recently posted…How To Choose Your Next Topic