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It’s something we all do. Perhaps even since childhood. We fall into the comparison trap. Why do they go on vacations all the time? I can barely afford one a year and I know I have a better paying job! How is she better at selling LuLaRoe than I am? I’ve been a retailer for almost 3 years and she just started!
The comparison trap is exhausting and there is nothing good that comes from it. But there are ways to escape the trap. Keeping away from the comparison trap can do a world of good for your self confidence and quite truthfully, your sanity.
You don’t know what you don’t know
Sounds weird, right? I’m sure you are thinking, well of course I don’t know what I don’t know. This commercial is the perfect example of this. Sure, everything on the outside looks great. This family “has it all” by looks. But reality is something completely different. If you are comparing your financial status, home and possessions based on the surface, you will feel inadequate and unhappy. But do you want to be “in debt up to your eyeballs”?
Take a step back and look at what you do have and how you got there. Think about the choices you have made. No one else can compare to your situation and you cannot compare to theirs.
Trading Places
One thing that is left out of the comparison trap is looking at things equally. It’s apples to oranges, really. Are you comparing two exactly same situations? Same circumstances and opportunities? Let’s say you have a direct sales business. A year into the business you have a small clientele and your business is doing okay but it’s not thriving. Another consultant who started the same time as you has a business that exploded. She crushes her goals each month and has a huge following. You both take the same trainings and are in the same groups.
What is the difference between you? What you don’t know is the sacrifices she makes to have the business she has created. She has put things on hold to work her business and done things you aren’t willing to do. But you don’t see this. Would you be willing to trade places with her and go through all she has in order to have that business?
Look out! It’s a trap!
Since we can’t all have an Admiral Ackbar to point out these comparison traps to us, we have to be aware of it ourselves. In one of my social media groups, there is often talk about “staying in your lane”. What does this mean? We can’t all get off the exit to Disney World because some of us have to work down the road before we can go to Disney World. While we all might be on the same road and headed in the same direction, our destinations are not the same. Some of us need more bathroom breaks than others. Some of us drive straight through .
Your happiness and confidence will improve when you avoid these comparison traps. Just be you, work toward your goals and get there the best way for YOU.
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