In any creative pursuit, comparison is inevitable. “How do I measure up to everyone else?” May I suggest that it’s a bad idea, especially in the beginning of a pursuit? Comparison tends to do one of two things to us. It either makes us proud or discouraged and neither of those things is terribly helpful. First of all, pride and arrogance are not appealing, and secondly we tend to rest on our laurels when we feel like we are above and beyond. Discouragement on the other hand can bring the deadliest action of all to a creative, inaction and/or outright quitting.
This is not to say there is no room for comparison. There is. We can use comparison to make ourselves stand out. We can look at the people around us who are doing what we do and figure out how we can differentiate our offerings, whatever they may be. We can look for ways to stand out in a crowded field. This can be quite healthy, so long as we remember to check ourselves if we begin to lapse into arrogant pride or discouragement. We want to stand out. We need to stand out. We need to be in a constant quest to grow and improve.
That’s why the best person to compare yourself to is you. Are you better today than you were yesterday? Are you closer to your goal than you were yesterday? Are you making the right steps to your goal? Maybe most importantly, do you like the person you are becoming on the way to living your dream?
Remember what we’re doing. Creating a Better Life.
AMOKArts 