5/12/17
Community

The Comparison Game

We live in a culture of comparison. 

We compare jobs, homes, vehicles, kids, abilities and even values. We constantly put ourselves up against those around us instead of going up against ourselves. Kids are growing up being taught to compare grades to their classmates, compare the clothes they wear to what is “cool”, compare who has the most up to date technology and the list goes on.

Do you ever workout and notice that you are comparing yourself to those around you? Do you ever log your score and find yourself searching for everyone else’s score first? I personally find myself doing this saying things like, "Why can’t I do what they do or move as fast as they can?"

When I evaluate my comparison, I realize I am comparing apples to oranges.  My story, circumstances and abilities can only be compared to me. I then have to ask myself, Am I doing the best I can with where I am at right now?  Am I better than I was a week ago or 6 months ago? Did I show up today when I had a million excuses not to?

Next time you feel yourself in comparison mode, take a minute to evaluate what or whom you are making a comparison to. If the answer is not you, STOP IT! If this is difficult for you, find a gym buddy that can “gently” remind you or seek out a coach and set up some goals.

“Why compare yourself to others? No one in the entire world can do a better job of being you than you.”