Have you experienced comparison? Comparison comes in several forms: comparing yourself to others, others comparing themselves to you, or others comparing you to others.
You don’t have control over what other people do, but you can stop comparing yourself with others.
Comparing yourself to others is a dangerous way to determine your success. It is a distraction from the focus God has called you for and it will take you to a place of negative, disparaging thoughts. Since we know that our thoughts influence our emotions and feelings and our emotions and feelings influence our choices and behaviors which determine our results, it’s imperative to avoid any activity that may trigger negative thoughts.
Here’s what Scripture has to say about comparison
Galatians 6:4
“Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.”
Paul is telling us to focus on doing our best. When we do our best, there is no need to compare ourselves to others because we’ll feel good about the results we achieve. If you aren’t getting the results you want, you need to shift your priorities. I’m not going to tell you to work harder, but you should work smarter. That may involve systems and processes, it may include time blocking, or it may be cutting back in areas that aren’t serving your business, or hiring the help you need. Help may be in the form of a team member, a virtual assistant, or a coach or mentor.
Stop comparing yourself to avoid feeling overwhelmed and frustrated. When you are overwhelmed and overthinking you will not produce the results you want to achieve. And you will be more likely to look around to see what others are doing – and get sucked into comparison. The easiest way to avoid comparison is to focus on doing your absolute best with the gifts you have.
Romans 12:6-8
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
You are unique! I am unique! We may do the same thing, but because we have unique gifts and are called to serve specific individuals who need our unique gifts, we have no need for comparison. Let’s use boutiques as an example. Not every boutique is going to stock the same brands. And not every boutique will have the style you want or that fits you best. In addition, each boutique is owned by an individual with a unique style, unique taste, and a unique personality that may or may not align with you. Your best friend may love one boutique while you love another.
The same is true for coaches, therapists, mentors, doctors, lawyers, and every other profession or career choice. If you differentiate yourself as a personal brand, you don’t have to worry about looking the same as other business owners in your niche.
1 Corinthians 12:22-25
“On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.”
In this verse, Paul compares the church, the body of Christ, to the human body. There are two common thought errors we as humans make. The first is being prideful. The second is thinking we have nothing to offer the church and other believers. Too often we compare ourselves to others. This may be in the church or other business owners. Instead, what we should be doing is using our different gifts collectively to grow God’s kingdom and bring Him glory.
Stop comparing yourself with others and instead, unify as believers and work together for the good of others. Even if you have similar gifts or work in the same niche, you are unique and do things and serve others in a unique way.
2 Corinthians 10:12-13
“We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.”
Here Paul is reminding us that we are only to compare ourselves with God’s standards. If we compare ourselves with others we may become prideful, or even judgemental. Instead of comparing yourself to others, seek wisdom from the Holy Spirit on how your life measures to Jesus’ life. This feels like a harsh reality to face, doesn’t it? We have zero grounds for pride when we compare ourselves to Jesus. It is very humbling to do so.
We are called by Christ to live like Christ. There is no basis for comparing ourselves to others. Doing so will not help us grow or achieve the results we want to achieve because God has a unique plan for each one of us. We are to trust in him to provide and equip us for what He is calling us to do. What other people have or are doing will not help us on that journey.
Stop comparing yourself when analyzing competitors
You may read that one of the ways you can grow your business is to analyze your competitors.
This makes sense only if you are using the information as a guide, not to compare yourself and your level of success with theirs.
But there are also risks in analyzing what your competitors are doing. The risks are:
- comparing yourself to them
- adopting their strategy or messaging and confusing your community
- becoming envious
- doubting that you will be able to achieve your own success and results
If you are going to analyze your competitors I encourage you to:
- not do what they do or say what they say – focus only on the voice of your soulmate customers and their pain points and what motivates them to buy
- continue to differentiate yourself to stand out as ONE – unique and an expert in your niche
- believe in yourself, your journey, your gifts, your clients, and their wants and burning needs that you can help them with
The Success Without Social Mastermind Business Growth Program is Open for Application
If you are overwhelmed, feel like you’re spinning in circles, are stuck overthinking, struggle with how to differentiate yourself as an expert in your niche, find yourself in a place of comparison and doubt, or have invested in coaches, programs, or courses with minimal results, apply today.
The Success Without Social Mastermind Business Growth Program is the only proven one-stop business growth coaching program for small business owners and entrepreneurs who want to grow a successful service-based business with no emphasis on social media. It’s a great place to start if you want to stop comparing yourself.
Apply for your place in the mastermind today.
