#122: Comparison is the Death of Joy

Positive Impact with Andrew Schultz

"Comparison is the death of joy." - Mark Twain

As creators, artists, leaders, healers, connectors, and influencers there is one thing that kills our creativity and joy more than anything....comparison! Comparing ourselves to others and thinking, "Why them? Why not me?"

This zero-sum "I win you lose, you win I lose" mentality kills more dreams and desires than anything else. Comparison makes us feel inadequate, deflated, and leads to low self-esteem.

I know because I'm in it, and have been in it! And there is a better way.

By shifting our perspective to, "If they can do it, why can't I?"

In fact, other people give us permission and show us what's possible, which we can use for inspiration. This win-win mentality and abundance mindset is so much healthier and more productive.

I think of Roger Bannister running the 1st sub-4-minute mile in 1954 when experts said it couldn't be done. Since that feat, 1,497 others have also run a mile in under 4 minutes. Roger gave all these people permission, showed them what's possible, and inspired each one to accomplish their own dreams and desires.

We get to make the choice every day. "Why them? Why not me?"

OR

"If they can do it, why can't I?"

One attitude will propel you onward and upward.

The other will drive you to bitterness and despair.