Competing with Yourself

The Best Measure of Success

Many of us have fallen into the trap of comparing ourselves to others. We look at their progress and accomplishments, and feel like we're falling short. However, this mindset can be harmful and counterproductive. Instead, we should focus on competing with ourselves.

When we compete with ourselves, we set our own standards and goals.

We strive to improve our own skills, knowledge, and abilities. By doing so, we can measure our progress and success based on our own personal growth, rather than comparing ourselves to what others are achieving.

This approach allows us to focus on our own journey, rather than being distracted by others' achievements. It also helps us to avoid feelings of jealousy or inadequacy, which can be detrimental to our mental health and motivation. If we avoid trying something because we "know" we can't compete with others, we never move forward and if we aren't moving forward, we are going backwards.

So, how can we start competing with ourselves?

First, we need to set specific, measurable, and achievable goals. These goals should be challenging, but realistic. We should also track our progress and celebrate our successes along the way (this is very important).

I set a goal this year to try to run more and attempt to find a way to enjoy my runs. When I first started, I could barely run half a mile without getting extremely winded. It was taking me six to eight minutes to run the half a mile. It was discouraging, but I kept at. I competed with myself to run a little farther or a little faster each run.

Initially, the progress was slow. But as I built up my endurance, I began to see improvements. I started to enjoy the feeling of pushing myself just al little bit further than I thought I could go. I started focusing on using my runs as a stress reliever, instead of focusing on the pain of each and every step I took. Once I was able to adjust my focus, I found myself looking forward to my runs, rather than dreading them.

Eventually, all my hard work paid off. I was able to run 2 miles without stopping, and my time had improved significantly. I was proud of myself for sticking with it, and it felt great to see the progress I had made. My times and distances are still not as good as some of the people around me, but that is okay with me. I see that I have room to grow and a reason to keep working and improving.

This allows me to continue challenging myself to improve my time and distance. Running has become part of my workout routine, and I look forward to seeing how far I can push myself each run.

Second, we should focus on continuous improvement.

This means prioritizing learning and development, seeking feedback from those we trust and respect, and embracing challenges. Surrounding yourself with a supportive community can be crucial when it comes to personal growth. Being part of a group that shares similar values and goals can provide a sense of belonging and encouragement. This community can help you push past your limitations and provide guidance when needed. It's important to remember that we are all continuously learning and growing, and a strong community can provide the necessary support to achieve our full potential.

If you struggle putting yourself out there to find a group or just can’t find one that shares your values, hiring a life coach be an excellent choice. A life coach can provide accountability and motivation, helping you stay on track and achieve your goals. Additionally, a life coach can challenge you to think outside your comfort zones and push you to achieve more than you thought was possible.

Working with a life coach can also provide you with valuable insights and perspectives. A good coach brings a fresh perspective to the table and can help you identify and overcome limiting beliefs and behaviors. They can also provide guidance on how to develop new habits and practices that support your personal growth and development journey.

As the coach guides you through the journey it is important to be open to failure and mistakes, as they are opportunities for growth and learning. We may not always succeed in our endeavors, and that's okay. Instead of letting failure keep us down, we should view it as an opportunity to learn and grow. Every failure provides valuable lessons that can help us improve and become more resilient. So, don't be afraid to take risks and try new things. Sometimes, the greatest successes come after experiencing failure. As my friend John Maxwell says, "Sometimes you lose and sometimes you learn”.

Conclusion

Competing with ourselves is the best measure of success. By setting our own standards and goals, tracking our progress, and focusing on continuous improvement, we can achieve our full potential and feel fulfilled in our personal and professional lives. If you get stuck along the way, remember hiring a good coach can be an excellent investment in your personal growth journey. Coaches provide accountability, motivation, and challenge, as well as valuable insights and perspectives. So, let's stop comparing ourselves to others and start competing with ourselves.