I believe we are doing a huge disservice to ourselves and others by avoiding comparisons and competition. I understand the desire to protect self esteem, but in the process we are producing individuals who are deficient in coping with reality. Video link.
"A smooth sea never made a skillful sailor." - English Proverb
Inspiration
Comparing ourselves to others can inspire us to new heights. Every year records provide individuals with goals to motivate and guide them.
Comparing ourselves to others can inspire us to new heights. Every year records provide individuals with goals to motivate and guide them.
Why Not Me?
When faced with a challenge, gritty individuals ask themselves why not me? Seeing other teenagers go to the Olympic games, Katie Ledecky asked herself "Why not me?" She would go on to set world records in the 400, 800, & 1500 meter freestyle.
Change The Focus
Not everyone responds to a situation the same way. Learning from others, we can change our focus or our interpretation of a situation to make it more palatable. Victor Frankl coped with the German concentration camps by choosing to find meaning in even the most brutal situations and thus found a reason to continue living.
Change The Focus
Not everyone responds to a situation the same way. Learning from others, we can change our focus or our interpretation of a situation to make it more palatable. Victor Frankl coped with the German concentration camps by choosing to find meaning in even the most brutal situations and thus found a reason to continue living.
Hope
In Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), we often encourage individuals in distress to: Compare themselves to those less fortunate OR Think about people coping the same as you or less well than you. It helps reframe situations and provides hope.
Cope With Disappointment
Seeing other people struggle, helps us with our own struggles. I was recently disappointed with my triathlon performance and feeling inadequate. A few weeks later I saw the world record holder in the Ironman, and quite a few others, struggle with similar stomach issues and it made me feel better. I realized disappointment happens a lot, even to the best of us, but we are still amazing people.
Seeing other people struggle, helps us with our own struggles. I was recently disappointed with my triathlon performance and feeling inadequate. A few weeks later I saw the world record holder in the Ironman, and quite a few others, struggle with similar stomach issues and it made me feel better. I realized disappointment happens a lot, even to the best of us, but we are still amazing people.
Keep Your Eyes Wide Open
Not all comparisons are equal and some can be destructive. Make sure to create a team around you, to keep your eyes wide open to your true value. People to challenge you, support you, and guide you.
Not all comparisons are equal and some can be destructive. Make sure to create a team around you, to keep your eyes wide open to your true value. People to challenge you, support you, and guide you.
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