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Are you one of those who think we should never compare ourselves to anyone?

That is undoubtedly a valid thought, because we are unique individuals. But if it is certainly true that few of us like to be compared, it is equally true that many of us like to compare. People compare brothers, friends, plumbers, students, teachers, singers, cooks, actresses, drivers, priests, sinners, and even criminals. They compare actions, achievements, tastes, thoughts, character, intelligence, and even the clothes they wear.

We all live in a competitive world… and where there is competition, there is comparison. In its most simplistic form, people compare to choose… well… the best. But, while I understand that many people don’t want to fall into this comparing-to-choose thing, I do believe many of us want to be successful and really good in whatever we do, and by comparing ourselves to the best, and learning from them, is one way to achieve it.

On the other hand, even yourself still sticking to the “not comparison” attitude, you are going to be compared, regardless. You will be promoted if the boss considers you are best prepared. You’ll take the trophy home if you perform best. You’ll be hired a second time if you provide the best service. You’ll be asked for advice if you are wisest. And so, there are many examples in which you will be the protagonist of comparisons… as plumbers, students, teachers, cooks, or whatever you do.

So, if you accept it, why don’t you start doing it before anyone else? It is not about comparing individualities, defined by the characters and personalities, much less the haircut or the vehicle driven. Neither is about comparing for the sake of comparing or feeling good or bad. This could only make us fall into feelings of envy, pity, conformism, pride, arrogance, superiority or inferiority, etc… depending on which side of that comparison we fall in. It is about comparing the actions and behaviours that lead us to improve in whatever we do. The objective is to accelerate the individual process of continuous improvement. But, again, such comparison has to be against the best. Learning from them will not only cut time and frustrations, but also we will learn new techniques, gain more knowledge, adopt more assertive approaches, get relevant contacts, use more appropriate ways of measuring ourselves, live with fewer tribulations, etc. Eventually, all this will lead us to compare ourselves to ourselves, just to see our own improvement over time.

Examine the action, not the actor!

Never compare yourself to the worst, not even as comfort or to know how not to do things. Are you going to be consoled by comparing yourself to those who did not pass the exam? Or feel happy because you were not the last in the sales of the month? Will you feel guilt-free because you are like those who looked the other way so as not to help those in need? Learning from them would be choosing the long and winding road, and with no guaranties of success.

We simply need to focus on always being better people… to be better today than yesterday and tomorrow better than today.

Featured and banner pictured by Pietro Rampazzo (taken from Unsplash.com)

Detail picture by Gabin Vallet (taken from Unsplash.com)

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Thanks!