We live in a world full of comparisons. Social media posts, friends, neighbors, relatives, etc. It’s easy to fall into the comparison trap, but there’s a better way. Measure your progress against your former self, who and what you used to be.
Former Self
Imagine the scenario of someone in his mid thirties. Good career, great family, money invested, and on track for many of his life goals. Compared to where he was at age 22, this person is light years ahead of where he used to be, or thought he’d be.
At age 22, he was paycheck to paycheck, in an entry-level job, and coming out of college. He had no idea of what he would eventually become.
When he looks back at what he used to be, and has since become, he’s a major success and on track to continue that success.
Where the Trouble Starts
Here’s where the trouble starts. This same person now looks at his friends and co-workers on social media. They all seemingly have more money than him, take more trips, and appear to have more balanced and rich lives.
When he compares himself to these people, he doesn’t feel so great because he suddenly thinks he’s behind. The reality though is he has no idea of what his friends’ lives are really like.
The messages they give on social media and in daily conversation are carefully curated to relay the image they want to portray. Where the reality may be completely different.
What you have is someone who is doing great compared to who he used to be, but feels bad because he’s making comparisons to someone else’s situation that is manufactured to look its absolute best.
Conclusion: The Solution
As I write about in my book Cash Uncomplicated, the solution is simple. Compare yourself only to your former self. That way you’re measuring your own progress, not someone else’s. Your progress against what you used to be is the most important thing.
No need to get involved in social media comparisons, looking at what other people are driving, or the new house Bill down the street just bought. Just what you are doing and the progress you are making.
