Stop comparing yourself to other people

It's a journey, not a race

I had to remind myself of this the other day. I had seen a post from someone who works in the same sphere as me and my little inner gremlin had jumped up and down at the chance to berate me good and proper. Unhelpful thoughts quickly filled my head. Comparison and derision quickly leading to self-doubt and a feeling that somehow I am not doing enough, that I am behind. 

I caught the little blighter in the act of sprinkling these toxic messages around my head like confetti and had a word with him (…or myself….whoever!) and the thoughts and associated feelings of inadequacy dissolved.

But on a weekend dedicated to competition with both the Grand National and The Boat Race gracing our screens I wanted to remind us all that life is a journey not a race. That always focusing on the end line, however you have defined that, robs you of enjoying the scenery along the way. That the journey is more important than the destination. That the journey is where the growth happens. That you can’t be where you want to eventually be yet as you haven’t acquired the right knowledge, met the right people, had the right experiences yet. You are exactly where you need to be right now. 

And when we think of life as a race then we do more, do it faster and it all becomes a bit of a blur as we check off actions that get us closer to the destination. We make choices that perhaps sacrifice happiness in the now for this promise of future happiness. We can feel as if it is not OK to slow down, to spend time where we are presently….because it is not ‘there’. 

We are in competition with no-one but ourselves and there is no time better than the now, because it is ours. So this weekend I am promising to continuing my personal journey of being the best version of me, and the best coach I can be. And I promise that I will open my eyes and appreciate the ride. I will find happiness in the now. I will be proud of where I have already got to rather than waiting for where I may one day be….

This is my life. This is my journey. This is not a race. Same applies to you……